SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Notre Dame women’s basketball has its first signee of the 2026 transfer portal cycle.
On Friday, the Irish announced Anaya Hardy will join the team after spending the first two years of her college career at Louisville. The 6-3 forward made 27 starts for the Cardinals this season, averaging 4.9 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. She also led the team with a .667 field goal percentage and posted three double-doubles.
“We are so excited to welcome Anaya to our Notre Dame family!” Karen and Kevin Keyes Family Head Women’s Basketball Coach Niele Ivey said. “She brings great energy and presence to our front court, and her athleticism will light up the arena. Her ability to run the floor, rebound and defend at a high level will make an immediate impact.”
Hardy hails from Detroit and was on the 2024 AP All-State First Team, MLive’s Metro Detroit Dream Team and the Detroit Free Press All-Area First Team. She averaged 13 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks per game as a senior in high school.
Hardy brings height and athleticism to an Irish frontcourt that lost Malaya Cowles and Gisela Sanchez this season to graduation. She will join top-100 recruits Amari Byles and Isabella Sangha as the forwards on the roster.
In addition to returning All-American Hannah Hidalgo, Notre Dame signed five top-100 recruits this offseason, including No. 9 overall player Jacy Abii. Both Abii and No. 28 recruit Jenica Lewis were McDonald’s All-Americans.