SOUTH BEND ― The importance of being the first African American female head coach in Notre Dame history when she was hired ahead of the 2020-21 women’s basketball season is not lost on Niele Ivey, even in her sixth year leading the Irish. Especially not in February.
“It’s representation, and I know that really, really matters. It’s really important for young girls to see me in this role and for me to be a leader, to be a role model,” Ivey said. “Being the first African American female head coach at Notre Dame is a powerful position, and I’m honored to be able to wear that every day.”
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Of the six Notre Dame women’s basketball representatives in Purcell Pavilion’s Ring of Honor, three are Black. Even those who don’t have their jersey numbers retired but still left an indelible mark on the program, like Arike Ogunbowale, Jackie Young, Jewell Loyd, Brianna Turner and more, have served as strong role models for the Black community.
That tradition has carried over to the present, with five of the seven Irish players who see the floor consistently being Black. That includes the current face of the program and one of the best players in the sport, Hannah Hidalgo, as well as the front-runner for the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Most Improved Player of the Year award Cass Prosper, the squad’s best 3-point shooter Iyana Moore, the anchor of Notre Dame’s post Malaya Cowles and the program’s “X-factor” KK Bransford.
Notre Dame head coach Niele Ivey celebrates with guard Kk Bransford, left, after a play during a NCAA women’s basketball game against Virginia Tech at Purcell Pavilion on Thursday, February. 5, 2026, in South Bend.
The latter has been a part of the Irish for four years, but has missed both a full season and 12 games this year due to injury. February 5, Bransford’s first game back in South Bend since returning from injury, was Black Excellence Night.
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Emotions were high coming off an 80-70 win against Virginia Tech in which Bransford had 11 points, six rebounds, two steals and two assists. She made sure to underscore the importance of celebrating Black History Month through representing a program with rich Black tradition.
“That’s part of the reason I play; being an African American woman in sports is a big thing,” Bransford said. “To be able to be successful ― I know I had so many role models growing up. I’m trying to be that, and I’m trying to be a positive role model.”
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Bransford’s efforts to do so are paying off.
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South Bend Adams junior Amya Henry hasn’t been watching Notre Dame long, but once she started following college women’s basketball regularly as a high schooler, the Irish immediately made an impact on her. As a young basketball player, the way the Irish often huddle together to compose themselves mid-game inspires Henry to be a better leader for her Eagles teammates.
Adams’ Amya Henry dribbles the ball up the court with Penn’s Macy Little guarding during an IHSAA girls basketball game between Penn and Adams at Penn High School on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, in Mishawaka.
She has seen it firsthand numerous times in recent years, attending several games over the past couple of seasons. To know that a Power-5 program, and one of the most historic in the nation at that, is in her backyard further motivates Henry to chase her goals.
Seeing prominent women of color at the forefront of Notre Dame women’s basketball inspires her further.
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“I could be the next best Black women’s player,” Henry said. “It makes me so much more confident, because the fact that they have gotten that far, it makes me believe I can get that far, too.”
The South Bend area has a strong history of successful Black women’s basketball players, such as the first South Bend native to play for Notre Dame in Washington alumna Jacqueline Batteast or perhaps the greatest athlete in the city’s history, fellow Washington and Irish alumna Skylar Diggins.
Even Henry’s aunt, Ziyad Henry, was a standout high school player at Washington.
Henry averaged 14.3 points per contest while helping Adams improve its win total from last season by five games and make an IHSAA Class 4A sectional championship game appearance. She dropped 30-plus points twice and 20-plus five times.
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Not just in February, but every time Henry takes the court, she is motivated by both Notre Dame women’s basketball’s past and present Black excellence, and that of South Bend entirely.
“The way everyone has fought for themselves, has fought to push forward and has fought to keep going, it drives me to keep going even more,” Henry said.
When Ivey hears stories like this from members of an area she has called home for the better part of 30 years, she is further reminded of how her impact stretches far beyond just those she coaches or recruits.
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“A lot of people that I talk to in the community, at church or in the grocery store ― they recognize me. I know the position I’m in is so much bigger than being a coach,” Ivey said. “I know I’m inspiring young girls to maybe want to coach, play in college or pursue their dreams because I’m living mine.”
Kyle Smedley is a sports reporter at the South Bend Tribune. Contact him via email at ksmedley@usatodayco.com or follow him on X @KyleMSmedley.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: How Niele Ivey, KK Bransford are Black women’s basketball role models
