Not done: Maddy Westbeld announces her return to Notre Dame women's basketball

SOUTH BEND — It was a brief message that followed a long wait for Notre Dame women’s basketball fans, but a welcome one nonetheless, when Maddy Westbeld indicated Monday afternoon on social media that she’s planning to return to the Irish for a fifth season next winter.

“Not Done,” Westbeld declared in a short and sweet tweet that also included a shamrock emoji.

A short time later, the ND program’s official X account responded with “current mood,” that tweet accompanied by a GIF of Westbeld dancing after a victory this past season.

Westbeld had acknowledged late this past season that she was torn between returning for one more go and pursuing a pro playing career.

Now she gives the Irish one of the nation’s most star-studded quartets in 2024-25, with a variety of player types available to fill out the fifth starting slot.

First-team All-American and Wooden Award finalist Hannah Hidalgo leads the group after a record-shattering freshman season for a 28-7 ND club that advanced to the Sweet 16, while fellow guard and second-team All-American Olivia Miles is expected back at full tilt after missing all of 2023-24 while recovering from a knee injury.

Then there’s Westbeld and fellow All-Atlantic Coast Conference pick Sonia Citron.

A fifth starter could come from among Kate Koval, the nation’s No. 1-rated post in the high school class of 2024 by ESPN, returning starter center Kylee Watson if she’s healthy after a late-season injury, athletic wing Cass Prosper or a not-yet-known individual added via the transfer portal or as a late prep signee.

Sharpshooter Emma Risch is also expected back after missing most of last season following hip surgery.

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Key departures include graduated starter Anna DeWolfe, along with KK Bransford and Nat Marshall, who each announced last week that they were entering the transfer portal.

As for Westbeld, she’s been the iron force of Irish basketball over the last four years, that stretch coinciding with all of head coach Niele Ivey’s tenure.

Westbeld has started and appeared in 120 of the 121 games ND’s played over that time, only missing the other one this past January after suffering a concussion and broken nose three days earlier.

She will be able to participate in a fifth season due to the NCAA rule put in place for players who were active in COVID-shortened 2020-21.

A versatile 6-foot-3 forward who can post or step out on the wing, Westbeld averaged 14.4 points, a team-leading 8.7 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.1 blocks as the Irish won the ACC Tournament title and earned their third straight Sweet 16 trip this past season. She made 48.8% of her 2-pointers, 36.8% on 3-pointers with 39 conversions and 78.4% at the line.

For her career, Westbeld is averaging 12.9 points and 7.3 rebounds.