Hannah Hidalgo has Caitlin Clark-like “psychotic mentality” that Paige Bueckers doesn’t “seem to have”, women’s hoops analyst claims
After a potential-filled freshman season, Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo is unleashing a breakout campaign in her second year. The star sophomore has led the Fighting Irish to a 9-2 record while averaging 25.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 4.2 steals per game.
This electrifying year has caught the attention of many in the college basketball field, including sports media personality Rachel Demita. In a YouTube video titled, "Is Hannah Hidalgo The #1 Player In The Country!?", Demita discussed the rising sensation — even going as far as to say that she has a Caitlin Clark-like trait that she believes UConn's Paige Bueckers does not have.
"The biggest difference I noticed between these two players [Hidalgo and Bueckers] in this particular game was the energy... There is a certain spark that I just don't see with Paige and it's kind of sad because when she does decide to create her own shot in these little moments throughout the game to take over, she actually can score on anyone," Demita said.
"But, you don't see the kind of fire, passion, confidence [and] psychotic mentality that somebody like Hannah [and] Caitlin has. I like to call it unconscious like playing without a conscious. If you airball a 3-pointer, the next play down you're gonna shoot the ball you're so confident in yourself that you know the next one you can make," she added.
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Demita further dissected the kind of confidence attributes that Hidalgo has, claiming Bueckers does not possess them.
But, comparisons aside, Hidalgo is having a uniquely special kind of 2024-2025 campaign. Earlier on Monday, she was named the ACC Player of the Week for the sixth time in her college career, the most by anyone in the program's history, accomplishing the feat in just her second year.
Potentially in the midst of a deeply competitive season ahead of them, spectators can catch Hannah Hidalgo in action at home against the Loyola Greyhounds on Sunday.
Rachel Demita says there is something special about Hannah Hidalgo
In the almost 12-minute video, Demita detailed in depth how Notre Dame's system and coach Niele Ivey allows Hidalgo to unleash her true potential and play like the star she is becoming. To her, this is an aspect that isn't seen in the way Auriemma runs plays for UConn and Paige Bueckers, which is why Hidalgo is slowly catching up to the kind of star power Bueckers has.
But, through it all, the former 2KTV host believes Hidalgo is a superstar due to her raw talent and overall mindset of giving her full energy in every game.
"There is something special about Hannah Hidalgo," Demita said. "She has so much energy (and) passion, a spark on the court. And, she's 5'6. That's something that also makes her special (and) unique. That's what you need to stand out from the crowd."
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What do you think of Rachel Demita's comments on Hannah Hidalgo? Do you agree with her? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.