Hear from Notre Dame women’s basketball’s Cass Prosper and Niele Ivey
Hear from Notre Dame women’s basketball senior Cass Prosper and head coach Niele Ivey heading into March.
For the first season since 2021-22, Cassandre Prosper will not suit up for Notre Dame women’s basketball in 2026-27. The 2026 ACC Most Improved Player announced via Instagram Monday, April 6 that she will not use her fifth and final year of collegiate eligibility, instead pursuing a professional career in the WNBA or elsewhere.
Although Prosper’s decision leaves a big hole in the Irish’s starting five, the silver lining for the Irish and their fans is that Prosper is not choosing to use her fifth year as a transfer. She will have finished her collegiate career having played 97 games exclusively for Notre Dame. Prosper had a fifth year of eligibility due to missing all but five games of her sophomore season due to injury.
After playing in a combined 61 games and starting just seven of them in her first three years with the Irish, Prosper started all 36 games of her senior season. Prosper was one of three scholarship players ― along with junior Hannah Hidalgo and senior KK Bransford ― who returned to Notre Dame after the 2024-25 season, and head coach Niele Ivey rewarded Prosper for that decision.
However, a lot rode on the development of Prosper, in terms of the Irish’s success. If she could show some of the potential she had in being a five-star prospect out of high school, the Irish would have a chance to be successful.
Prosper did more than just improve, she became one of the best wings in the ACC, averaging 13.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.6 steals in 33.2 minutes per game on 49.2% shooting from the field. Prosper dropped six double-doubles throughout the season. Her biggest moment came when she scored the final three points in a 67-64 win vs. Vanderbilt in the Sweet Sixteen that helped Notre Dame reach its first Elite Eight since 2019.
Standing at 6-feet, 3-inches, Prosper’s length and athleticism ― along with her improved confidence and skill-set ― could bode well in her pursuit of a professional career.
Kyle Smedley is a sports reporter at the South Bend Tribune. Contact him via email at [email protected] or follow him on X @KyleMSmedley.
