From five-star recruit to WNBA professional: the ascent of Maddy Westbeld
In short: A standout at Notre Dame and a high-ranking recruit, Maddy Westbeld has navigated the intense pressure of elite basketball. From dominating high school courts in Ohio to making her mark in the WNBA, her journey reflects the grit required to succeed in the professional ranks.
Maddy Westbeld’s trajectory began with significant promise at Fairmont High School in Kettering, Ohio. A highly decorated recruit, she was ranked as a five-star prospect and the 23rd player in her class by ESPN. During her high school career, she earned prestigious honors, including being named the 2020 Gatorade Ohio Girls Basketball Player of the Year and the 2020 OPSWA Division I Player of the Year. In her final high school season, she guided the Firebirds to regional finals after achieving a 25–3 win-loss tally. Her individual dominance was evident as she led her team in scoring, rebounds, assists, blocks, and free-throw percentage during her junior season.
Her collegiate career at Notre Dame was marked by consistent statistical production and leadership. As a freshman, Westbeld earned ACC Rookie of the Year honors, averaging 15.2 points and 7.9 rebounds. By March 2023, she became only the 42nd player in the program's history to surpass 1,000 career points. Notably, she and her sister, Kathryn, are the only siblings to both achieve this scoring milestone for the Fighting Irish. In her final collegiate season, she averaged nearly a double-double with 14.4 points and 87 rebounds per game. She also helped secure the program's first ACC Tournament title under head coach Niele Ivey.
Westbeld entered the professional landscape via the 2025 WNBA draft, where she was selected 16th overall by the Chicago Sky. Her rookie season saw her playing 26 games, highlighted by a career-high 25-point performance against the New York Liberty in September 2025. Following her time with the Sky, she signed with the Phoenix Mercury in August 2026 and also joined the Adelaide Lightning in the WNBL in July 2026. Her professional journey also includes representing the United States in various 3x3 international competitions.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Maddy Westbeld
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