Kayla McBride Commits to Muffet McGraw, Notre Dame

Kayla McBride has verbally committed to play basketball for the University of Notre Dame in 2010. The 5'11" McBride, from Erie, Penn., called Notre Dame women's basketball coach Muffet McGraw on Monday night with the news. She said she had seen enough to be able to make a decision.

Notre Dame is getting a good one in McBride. She is currently rated as the No. 33 recruit in the ESPN Hoopgurlz Super Sixty for the class of 2010. She was being recruited by many of the top programs, including Connecticut, Bowling Green, Ohio State, USC, Stanford, Duke, and Vanderbilt.

It is no secret that Notre Dame covets 2009 recruit Skylar Diggins. But, in McBride, they are assured of a guard in a similar mold.

So why did McBride choose Notre Dame?

"I love the coaches, players and their style of play," McBride said in a statement released by the team. "Just as important, I feel Notre Dame is the best fit for me academically, athletically, and for my future. There really is no other place like Notre Dame."

According to her coach, Doug Chuzie, Notre Dame is getting a highly skilled player. But it is not just her physical skills that puts her in the elite category.

"My favorite thing about Kayla's game is her competitive streak," Chuzie said in the statement. "I'm not sure what is more important to her: winning or not losing. She brings enthusiasm and toughness with her every day to both practice and games. Kayla's passion for the game of basketball is absolutely contagious."

Ironically, McBride will not have to change school nicknames. She currently plays for the Irish in high school. And her AAU team name? None other than Irish AAU 17U (17 and under).

Welcome to Notre Dame, Kayla McBride!

*Information gathered from the ESPN article Luck of the Irish.