CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Niele Ivey, the head coach of the Notre Dame women’s basketball team, faced a challenging week as she prepared her highly ranked squad for a tough away game against No. 17 North Carolina. The difficulty of the matchup was compounded by concerns for her son, Jaden Ivey, a talented player in the NBA who recently underwent surgery due to a severe leg injury.
The coach expressed immense gratitude for the performance of her team, which secured a 76-66 victory on Sunday. “They gave me strength both as a coach and as a mother,” Ivey reflected during the postgame press conference, her voice filled with emotion. “I appreciated their support because I knew I faced an emotional challenge today.”
At 47 years old, Ivey is in her fifth season at the helm of Notre Dame’s women’s basketball program. Her team was recognized as the preseason favorite in the Atlantic Coast Conference and is seen as a contender for the Final Four. Meanwhile, her son Jaden, 22, who was selected as the fifth overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft, has been excelling in his third season with the Detroit Pistons, averaging 17.6 points per game.
Jaden Ivey’s injury occurred on Wednesday night when Orlando’s Cole Anthony slipped while chasing a loose ball, crashing into Ivey’s left leg. The scene was alarming, as he was clearly in distress while the medical staff shielded him from onlookers. He was ultimately transported from the arena on a stretcher, with his injury covered by a towel. Following the surgery, his team announced he would be re-evaluated in four weeks.
With all these pressures weighing on her, Ivey’s team rose to the occasion in their first game since the incident, seizing the lead in the second quarter thanks to standout performances from Hannah Hidalgo, who scored 24 points, and Olivia Miles, who added 19. After the game, Ivey expressed her appreciation for her players, who provided her much-needed emotional support during this trying time.
“This has been an incredibly tough week for me, especially with my son’s injury,” Ivey acknowledged. “They played for me today, and that means so much. Their effort truly lifted my spirits.”
Miles echoed these sentiments, noting that it is common for the team to rally around their coach, but the recent circumstances brought an extra level of motivation. “We always aim to give our best for Coach Ivey in every game,” she stated. “However, given everything that happened, there was definitely more motivation today to support her.”
Ivey and her Fighting Irish will look to build on this success as they continue through the season.
