Key Highlights
- Notre Dame women’s basketball will have two key transfer players available for the first time in the 2025-26 season against Akron.
- Iyana Moore and Malaya Cowles are set to make their Fighting Irish debuts.
- Head coach Niele Ivey shared the news with local reporters on Tuesday, November 14, 2025.
- Moore is a potential starter in the backcourt alongside Hannah Hidalgo, though Vanessa de Jesus has been performing well so far this season.
New Faces at Notre Dame: Moore and Cowles Debuting vs. Akron
Notre Dame women’s basketball is set to have a significant boost in their lineup with the availability of transfer players Iyana Moore and Malaya Cowles for the first time this season, according to head coach Niele Ivey.
Ivey announced the news on Tuesday, November 14, 2025, indicating that both players will make their debut against Akron in a game scheduled for Wednesday night. The addition of Moore and Cowles is expected to significantly enhance the team’s depth, especially at the guard and forward positions.
Moore: A Potential Starter
Iyana Moore, who transfers from Vanderbilt, has the potential to start alongside Hannah Hidalgo in the backcourt. However, Duke transfer Vanessa de Jesus, despite averaging 18.5 points per game so far this season, is currently holding on to one of the starting spots.
Over three seasons at Vanderbilt, Moore amassed 100 appearances, 80 starts, and averaged 32.1 minutes per game. Her career statistics include 13.1 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.3 steals per game, with a career-high of 37 points.
Cowles: A Valuable Addition to the Front Court
Malaya Cowles, who transfers from Wake Forest, is set to bring significant depth to the front court. She played in 86 games over three seasons at Wake Forest, starting 51 of them and averaging career-bests of 8.8 points and 5.1 rebounds per game last season.
Her arrival at Notre Dame comes as a welcome boost given that Kansas State transfer Gisela Sanchez has been excelling in her first pair of games with the team, contributing 12.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game so far this season. Cowles’ addition is expected to complement Sanchez’s contributions effectively.
Adjusting to Notre Dame’s System
Coach Ivey has emphasized that Moore and Cowles will face a minutes restriction in their debut game against Akron. The focus will be on helping them assimilate into the team’s system, which has already shown success with lopsided victories over Fairleigh Dickinson (98-52) and Chicago State (116-58).
“We’ve been working with them off the court, 3 on 3, 2 on 2,” Ivey stated. “They’ve been jumping into practice a little here and there. Definitely going to continue working on building chemistry with them, but really excited that we have two great players that are going to join us.”
With these new additions, Notre Dame’s women’s basketball team is poised for an exciting season ahead, aiming to leverage the combined talents of Moore, Cowles, and the rest of the roster.
