SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame has released its Top 10 candidates for the 2024 Nancy Lieberman Award. Among the 10 is Irish freshman Hannah Hidalgo.
Now in its 25th year, the award recognizes the top point guard in women’s NCAA Division I college basketball. To be considered for this prestigious award, candidates must exhibit the floor leadership, playmaking and ball-handling skills of Class of 1996 Hall-of-Famer Nancy Lieberman.
Hidalgo’s name peppers the individual rankings this season, both in the ACC and nationally. She is pacing the conference with 23.9 points per game, and she averages 5.5 steals per contest. The latter mark leads the nation. She also leads all ACC freshmen with 5.8 assists per game. Hidalgo and Iowa’s Caitlin Clark are the only major conference players in the nation averaging 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Obviously, Hidalgo is posting in excess of 5 steals per contest as well.
Despite not being halfway through conference play, Hidalgo has already broken multiple Irish records. On Thursday against Virginia, the New Jersey native notched her 91st steal of the year, passing Skylar Diggins for the most swipes for an Irish rookie. It was also her ninth game with at least 7 steals, breaking the overall Notre Dame record in that category. That mark was also held by Diggins. Finally, games against UVA and Wake Forest last week yielded her 14th and 15th games this year with 20+ points. The previous record for an Irish freshman was 13 and held by Beth Morgan.
Hidalgo has also notched ACC Rookie of the Week honors eight times this year, breaking the program record of six previously held by four Irish players. Most recently, Sonia Citron earned the award six times. All four of those players went on to be their respective conference’s Rookie of the Year.
The 5-6 guard is the sole freshman on the Top 10. Clark won the award last year.
2024 Nancy Lieberman Point Guard of the Year Award Candidates*
| Sarah Andrews | Baylor | Hannah Hidalgo | Notre Dame |
| Jaylyn Sherrod | Colorado | Jacy Sheldon | Ohio State |
| McKenna Hofschild | Colorado State | Te-Hina Paopao | South Carolina |
| Caitlin Clark | Iowa | Kiki Rice | UCLA |
| Shyanne Sellers | Maryland | Georgia Amoore | Virginia Tech |
Fans can support their favorite players in the remaining rounds by participating in Fan Voting, presented by Dell Technologies, starting Friday, January 26, on hoophallawards.com. The Fan Vote will count as one committee vote during the finalist selection process.
In March, five finalists will be presented to Lieberman and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee. The Selection Committee for the Nancy Lieberman Award is composed of top women’s college basketball personnel, including media members, head coaches, sports information directors, and Hall of Famers.
The winner of the 2024 Lieberman Award will be presented on a to be determined date, along with the four other members of the Women’s Starting Five. Additional awards being presented include the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award (Shooting Guard), Cheryl Miller Award (Small Forward), Katrina McClain Award (Power Forward), and the Lisa Leslie Award (Center), in addition to the Men’s Starting Five.
Previous winners of the Nancy Lieberman Award include Caitlin Clark, Iowa (2022-23), Paige Bueckers, UConn (2021), Sabrina Ionescu, Oregon (2018-20), Skylar Diggins, Notre Dame (2012-13), Diana Taurasi, Connecticut (2003-04) and Sue Bird, Connecticut (2000-02).