Notre Dame forward Maddy Westbeld will miss start of season

Maddy Westbeld will be a veteran leader on a Notre Dame team full of them during the 2024-25 season. Recognizing the opportunity the Irish have to win a national championship, she chose to use her final year of eligibility and be a part of that effort.

However, the Irish will have to get used to life without Westbeld for now. The 6-foot-3 forward, who averaged 14.4 points, 1.1 blocks and a career-high 8.7 rebounds in 2023-24, is dealing with a foot injury that will keep her out of action at the start of the season. This is unfortunate for a player who has missed only one game during her collegiate career and always been in the starting lineup.

While the Irish have some veteran forward transfers this year in Liatu King and Liza Karlen to help soften this blow, it doesn’t make this setback any easier for Westbeld or her teammates. Here’s what she said on social media:

We wish Westbeld the best of luck in her recovery. If the Irish are to have any real success this upcoming season, they’ll need her.

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