Notre Dame WNBA: How the Irish Became a Guard Powerhouse
- A homecoming is set for Arike ogunbowale as the Dallas Wings prepare to face the Las Vegas Aces in a WNBA exhibition game at Notre Dame.
- Ogunbowale expressed her excitement about playing again at Notre Dame, anticipating the energy from the fans and the chance to relive cherished memories.
- Notre Dame has become known as "Guard U," producing impactful perimeter players like Skylar Diggins, the No.
Witness how Notre Dame has become a guard powerhouse, producing WNBA stars like Arike Ogunbowale, Jewell Loyd, and Jackie Young.See the Fighting Irish alums return for a special exhibition game, highlighting their impact on the league as perimeter players. Notre Dame’s “Princeton-style” offence is finely tuned to prepare players with constant motion and versatile skills. News Directory 3 understands how the team, led by Coach Niele Ivey, cultivates talent ready for the pros, with influences such as Skylar Diggins.With eight guards projected on WNBA rosters this season, Notre Dame’s influence is undeniable. Discover what’s next for these elite athletes.
WNBA Stars Ogunbowale, Loyd & Young Return to Notre Dame for Aces-wings Showdown
Updated May 2, 2025
A homecoming is set for Arike ogunbowale as the Dallas Wings prepare to face the Las Vegas Aces in a WNBA exhibition game at Notre Dame. the matchup features former Fighting Irish stars Jewell Loyd and Jackie Young, marking a special return to their alma mater.
Ogunbowale expressed her excitement about playing again at Notre Dame, anticipating the energy from the fans and the chance to relive cherished memories. This preseason contest,one of three this month,also sees angel Reese and Caitlin Clark returning to their college courts,celebrating Notre Dame’s significant WNBA presence.
Notre Dame has become known as “Guard U,” producing impactful perimeter players like Skylar Diggins, the No. 3 pick in the 2013 draft. Young acknowledged Notre Dame’s success in preparing players for the WNBA.
Eight guards from Notre Dame are projected to be on WNBA rosters this season, the most from any single school.This group includes Ogunbowale,Loyd,Young,Diggins (Seattle Storm),Marina Mabrey,Lindsay Allen (Connecticut Sun),Kayla McBride (Minnesota Lynx),and rookie Sonia Citron (Washington Mystics).
Loyd highlighted the unique and impressive presence of Notre Dame guards in the WNBA.
Arike Ogunbowale, Jewell Loyd, skylar Diggins and Jackie Young are among the Notre Dame guards excelling in the WNBA.”>Coach Niele Ivey, a former WNBA guard and Notre Dame national champion, noted the effectiveness of the team’s “Princeton-style” offense in preparing players for the pros.This system emphasizes constant motion,smart cuts,and versatile ball-handling and shooting skills.
“It’s a read-based offense that makes you think,” Ivey said. “You have to learn fast in the WNBA…In recruiting, those are the types of players we look for…the translation is very organic to the WNBA.”
What’s next
Final WNBA roster cuts are due May 15. UConn, Notre Dame, and South Carolina are expected to have the most alumni in the league this season. Diggins, Loyd, and Young are Olympic gold medalists, with Loyd winning two WNBA titles with the Seattle Storm before joining Young in Las vegas.