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Louisville Transfer Anaya Hardy Joins Notre Dame Women's Basketball
The 6-foot-3 sophomore forward brings size and upside to the Irish roster.
Apr. 17, 2026 at 10:06pm
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A cubist interpretation of a Notre Dame women's basketball player's explosive athleticism and potential.Princeton TodayNotre Dame women's basketball has added Louisville transfer Anaya Hardy to its roster for the 2026-27 season. The 6-foot-3 sophomore forward showed promise at Louisville, cracking the starting lineup midway through last season and averaging 4.9 points and 4.2 rebounds despite playing just over 11 minutes per game. Hardy, a mechanical engineering major, is determined to work on her weaknesses and showcase her ability to dunk in games next season.
Why it matters
The addition of Hardy helps fill the void left by the departures of 6-3 or taller players from Notre Dame's rotation, including starting center Malaya Cowles and wing Cass Prosper. Hardy's size and potential upside provide a valuable piece as the Irish look to build on their Elite Eight run last season.
The details
Hardy, a raw, unranked prospect coming out of high school, started to show her potential this past season at Louisville. After seeing limited action as a freshman, she cracked the starting lineup a month into the 2025-26 season and averaged 4.9 points and 4.2 rebounds while shooting 66.7% from the field. The Irish see significant upside in the sophomore, who is determined to work on her weaknesses, including her free-throw shooting and tendency to pick up quick fouls.
- Hardy announced her commitment to Notre Dame on April 14, 2026.
- The transfer portal opened on April 6, 2026 and closes on April 20, 2026.
The players
Anaya Hardy
A 6-foot-3 sophomore forward who is transferring from Louisville to Notre Dame. She showed promise last season, cracking the starting lineup midway through the year and averaging 4.9 points and 4.2 rebounds.
Niele Ivey
The head coach of the Notre Dame women's basketball team, who is continuing to build the Irish roster through the transfer portal.
Jeff Walz
The head coach of the Louisville women's basketball team, who took a chance on the raw, unranked Hardy coming out of high school.
Hannah Hidalgo
A three-time All-America guard who will be a key piece for Notre Dame next season.
Cass Prosper
A starting wing for Notre Dame last season who opted to enter the WNBA Draft instead of taking a fifth year of eligibility.
What’s next
The Irish are still looking to add up to two more players through the transfer portal, which closes on April 20. They are pursuing All-Ivy League guard Madison St. Rose from Princeton and Iowa State forward Addy Brown.
The takeaway
The addition of Anaya Hardy provides Notre Dame with a talented and determined young forward who can help fill the void left by departures in the frontcourt. Her size, upside, and willingness to improve her game make her an intriguing piece as the Irish look to build on last season's Elite Eight run.
