Hannah Hidalgo is your 2023 USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year.
“Hannah Hidalgo is a name you won’t forget,” said Joni Taylor, head coach of the 2023 USA U19 Women’s National team, per a USA Basketball release.
The point guard out of Haddonfield, N.J. averaged 10.7 points and 5.4 assists per game to lead Team USA to a gold medal at this summer’s U19 FIBA World Cup in Madrid. The latter number is tied for third all-time for Team USA. While overseas, Hidalgo also broke two single-game records for Team USA: steals (8) and assists (13). As a result of her performance, Hidalgo was named to the Tournament’s All Star 5.
All USA Basketball players are up for the award, but very few players win it before enrolling in college. Hidalgo joins the ranks of Breanna Stewart and Paige Beuckers, who won the award in high school in 2011 and 2019, respectively. Janelle Bailey rounds out that elite group. WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson won the 2022 award.