Is Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo eligible for 2025 WNBA draft?

Notre Dame sophomore Hannah Hidalgo is making waves in the college basketball world this season, leading to speculation about her professional prospects.

Given her impressive numbers so far — averaging 25.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game — some have pondered whether Hidalgo could forgo her final two years of eligibility and enter the 2025 WNBA draft.

However, the road to the WNBA is not always straightforward, and several factors must be considered when determining a player's eligibility.

Is Hannah Hidalgo eligible for the 2025 WNBA draft?

According to the WNBA eligibility rules, Hannah Hidalgo would not be eligible for the 2025 draft.

The WNBA requires players to be at least 22 years old during the year of the draft or to have completed four years of college.

Since the 5-foot-6 guard is only a sophomore at Notre Dame, she will not meet the college experience requirement nor be 22 years old (20 years old in 2025) by the time of the draft. Therefore, she does not qualify for the 2025 WNBA draft.

Hidalgo will likely be eligible for the 2027 WNBA draft, assuming she continues to play at a high level for the Fighting Irish.

Another sophomore phenom JuJu Watkins of USC is in a similar situation, as she will not be eligible for next year's draft.

During her recent appearance on 'Good Game With Sarah Spain,' Watkins weighed in on the WNBA draft eligibility.

"I definitely think we should have the option," JuJu said. "There's just been such a growth in college basketball where it's like, why would you want to leave? Because you're able to have that experience and build your brand here in college as well."

"I would definitely say we should have the option but I think college is a way to prepare us for the pros as well. It's a touchy subject, but I'm for it."

Hannah Hidalgo is second in scoring charts

While Hannah Hidalgo may have to wait a few more years, her dominant play this season has caught the attention of many. The New Jersey native is second in the scoring chart behind Florida State's Ta'Niya Latson, averaging 25.2 points per game through 11 games.

Her highest scoring output came in an 80-70 overtime win over Texas on Dec. 5, where she poured in 30 points.

She failed to score 20+ points only twice this campaign and has been a driving force behind Notre Dame's 9-2 start. Hidalgo reached a career milestone of 1,000 points against Syracuse on Dec. 8.