WNBA Stars Return to Notre Dame for Historic Matchup

NOTRE DAME, Ind. — Three former Notre Dame women’s basketball stars are set to reunite at Purcell Pavilion on May 2 for a preseason matchup between the Las Vegas Aces and Dallas Wings. This exciting encounter features former Fighting Irish teammates Arike Ogunbowale, now playing for the Wings, and Jackie Young, representing the Aces. Both players were pivotal in securing the 2018 NCAA championship for Notre Dame.

Jewell Loyd, another star from the Aces, will also join the event. Although she did not overlap with Ogunbowale and Young during her time at Notre Dame, she reached the NCAA championship games in 2014 and 2015, where the Fighting Irish finished as runners-up.

“We are super excited to welcome WNBA championship organizations in the Las Vegas Aces and Dallas Wings to Purcell Pavilion while supporting Arike, Jackie, and Jewell and inspiring the current Notre Dame team and the South Bend community,” said Notre Dame Coach Niele Ivey. “I always want to bring new experiences to our program, and I am thrilled we are able to do this while elevating and showcasing women’s basketball.”

Ogunbowale holds the title of Notre Dame’s all-time leading scorer with 2,626 career points. Loyd is seventh on the list with 1,909 points. After her tenure at Notre Dame, Loyd was selected as the WNBA No. 1 pick by the Seattle Storm in 2015 and won two WNBA titles with the team. In December, she requested a trade from the Storm and was subsequently traded to the Aces in January.

Young, also a No. 1 overall pick, was selected by the Aces in 2019 and has since won two WNBA titles and earned three All-Star selections. Ogunbowale was the fifth overall pick in 2019 by the Wings, where she has been a four-time All-Star.