The universities of South Carolina and Notre Dame will open the 2023/24 NCAA women’s season in Paris! The meeting will take place on November 6 and, for the first time in history, an official NCAA meeting (men and women combined) will be played on French soil.
“We did not hesitate to accept the invitation” confessed Dawn Staleycoach of South Carolina. “Fighting Notre Dame in Paris is a unique experience for our student-athletes, and I am grateful for the support of our administration and our donors”.
South Carolina has been one of the best programs in recent seasons. As proof, the Gamecocks saw five of their players selected in the last WNBA Draft: Aliyah Boston (1), Laeticia Amihere (8), Zia Cooke (10), Brea Beal (24) and Victaria Saxton (25).
As for the University of Notre Dame, it is also highly rated… in addition to having a name intended for this Parisian match. It must be said that she simply has French origins. Indeed, it was created in 1842 by the French priest Édouard Sorin. It is therefore quite logical that this team faces part of the two programs chosen.
“Notre Dame is playing in the shadow of Notre Dame! We are absolutely thrilled to travel to Paris to participate in this historic match between two legendary women’s basketball programs.” said Niele Iveycoach of Notre-Dame, and mother of Jaden IveyPistons player.
The timing of this match, the exact location of which has not yet been announced, is no coincidence. Women’s college basketball, and even women’s basketball in general, is taking a step forward in the United States. LSU’s win over Iowa in the 2023 March Madness Finals averaged 9.9 million viewers, making it the most-watched women’s college game in history.
“My mission has always been to break down barriers and provide my players with life-changing experiences” concluded Niele Ivey. “Women’s basketball is booming right now, and this exhibition continues to push the game forward on an international platform.”.
