When the Notre Dame women’s basketball team tips off its second game in the NCAA Tournament against an old rival, there will be at least one familiar face on the other bench.
Natalie Achonwa was good enough when she played in South Bend that her jersey is hanging from rafters. But when she walks back into Purcell Pavilion today, she’ll be looking to take down her old team. Achonwa is now an assistant coach for the Michigan Wolverines and will be looking to help her 14.5-point dog team to a massive upset win.
Such is life in sports, but that adds another twist to the Notre Dame women’s basketball team’s rollercoaster ride of a season. It’s also been a wild ride for Achonwa, knowing her return to her old home will either be about beating her alma mater or seeing her season end.
Notre Dame women’s basketball team can end old friend’s season
Just a few months ago, Achonwa was on a different career track. She played for Team Canada in the Paris Olympics. Before that, she gave birth to her first child. After playing for Notre Dame from 2010 to 2014, she staged an eight-year career in the WNBA.
Achonwa jumped right into coaching immediately upon retiring from playing. She’s a part of a staff and team that has every intention of beating her former team on its own court.
And of course, the Michigan assistant coach’s former program will be working hard to end her first season on the Wolverines’ staff. For today at least, Natalie Achonwa and the Notre Dame women’s basketball team are enemies. Just one more reason for Sunday to be a rather emotional day.