Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1546494
52 SEPT. 12, 2026 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED BY TODD D. BURLAGE I f there were ever any doubts to the level of impact and contributions that former Notre Dame players have already made — and continue to make — in the WNBA, a quick history lesson and a glance at some recent headlines puts those to rest. Former Irish guards Jewell Loyd and Jackie Young were catalysts to the Las Vegas Aces winning the WNBA champi- onship last season. Five Irish standouts were named to 2026 WNBA All-Star teams in July. And most recently, with the WNBA regular season wrapping Sept. 24, ESPN recently released its list of the top 50 players in the league this season, and eight former Irish players were included on it, including five in the top 20 and two in the top 10 — with Minnesota Lynx guard Olivia Miles at No. 4 and Young at No. 6. Dallas Wings forward Jessica Sheph- ard ranked No. 16 on the list, with Washington Mystics guard Sonia Cit- ron at No. 19 and Minnesota Lynx guard Kayla McBride at No. 20, to round out the top-20 former Irish on this distin- guished list. Toronto Tempo guard Ma- rina Mabrey was slotted at No. 26 and Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale at No. 32 completed the list of former Irish players in ESPN's top-50 rankings. Aces center A'ja Wilson (South Car- olina) ranked No. 1 and Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (Iowa) was No. 2. When asked why so many Notre Dame alumni have made the jump to the pros seem so seamless, Citron explained how it's all about campus culture. "[Notre Dame provided me with] the foundation of how to act as a player, and how to be professional. It helped me know what to expect in the WNBA," Citron told TheIXSports.com "Year af- ter year in college, we looked back and reflected on what I need to add to be a more complete player, so that when I came to the WNBA, I'm prepared." From 2019 WNBA Hall of Fame in- ductee Ruth Riley, who starred in the league from 2001-14, through seven- time all-star and 14-year league veteran Skylar Diggins, who began her WNBA ca- reer in 2013, to the five WNBA All-Stars this season, Notre Dame has had a heavy presence in the pro league for decades. Even current Fighting Irish head coach Niele Ivey — who won a national championship and earned third-team All-America honors with Notre Dame in 2001 — enjoyed a five-year WNBA career before moving into coaching. Notre Dame is tied for third among all colleges with 11 players currently in the WNBA and ranks ninth all time after putting 24 players in the league since the WNBA began play in 1997. Veteran Minnesota head coach Cheryl Reeve has coached and drafted several former Irish players, and her current roster includes Miles and McBride on her first-place Lynx team. "We've always had an affinity for their style of playing, and I think that continues to be the case," Reeve said of the lasting Notre Dame influence on her franchise. "Players have high ex- pectations of themselves. Maybe it has something to do with academically that they attract people that value being self-starters and can take initiative." ✦ FIGHTING IRISH HEADLINERS Malachi Fields, (2025), WR, New York Giants, NFL Making his case as a versatile player and a strong candidate for a backup wide receiver role, the Giants rookie caught 3 passes on 3 targets for 34 yards with a 15-yard touch- down catch in a 13-10 loss to the Vikings in the preseason Aug. 15. In addi tion to his offensive contributions, the Charlottesville, Va., native and 2026 third-round draft pick also recorded 1 tackle on special teams in the game. Marina Mabrey (2015-19), G, Toronto Tempo, WNBA Enjoying the best season of her eight-year WNBA career, the Manasquan, N.J., native av- eraged 27.0 points and 3.3 assists in three games from Aug. 10-18 for the struggling Tempo. Mabrey has been the brightest spot on her team this season, and her recent scor- ing surge lifted her scoring average to 20.8 points per game, which ranked first on the T empo and fifth best in the league as of Sept. 3. Olivia Miles (2021-25), G, Minnesota Lynx, WNBA The two-time Irish All-American (2023 and 2025), who transferred to TCU in 2026, enjoyed a torrid stretch during a six-game winning streak for the Lynx from Aug. 8-21. During those six games, the Blairstown, N.J., native averaged 21.0 points, 8.2 assists and 3.7 rebounds. In a 103-90 win over Dallas Aug. 9, Miles scored 20 points and posted a career-high 13 assists. Former Irish Stars Shining In The WNBA I R I S H I N T H E P R O S ESPN ranked Minnesota Lynx rookie point guard Olivia Miles as the No. 4 overall player in the WNBA. She was one of eight former Irish players to make ESPN's top-50 list. PHOTO COURTESY MINNESOTA LYNX