FORT WORTH, TX − Iyana Moore wanted a change for her final year of eligibility.
After spending four years with Vanderbilt women’s basketball, Moore received her degree and wanted to go somewhere else. So she entered the transfer portal and settled on Notre Dame, going from playing with one star guard (Mikayla Blakes) to another (Hannah Hidalgo).
“I just wanted to go somewhere my last year, just to do as much growing as I could possible,” said Moore, who is from Murfreesboro. “I’d already got my degree. Why not get another degree from Notre Dame?”
Moore, who was Vanderbilt’s third-leading scorer in the 2024-25 season, has put up similar numbers with the Irish. She is averaging 12.2 points per game to 12.4 last season, but she has increased her rebounds per game from 2.7 to 3.5 and is shooting 39.8% from three, up from 34.4% last year.
Now, Moore’s No. 6 seed Notre Dame (24-10) and her old team, Vanderbilt (29-4) face off in the Sweet 16 at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth on March 27 (1:30 p.m. CT, ESPN).
“I think it’s two great programs, and they both shaped me,” Moore said. “I wouldn’t be here without Vanderbilt.”
Moore plays alongside Hannah Hidalgo, who is the nation’s third-leading scorer at 25.2 points per game and was the ACC Player of the Year and ACC Defensive Player of the Year. She may be at times tasked with defending Mikayla Blakes, who is the nation’s leading scorer at 27 points per game and SEC Player of the Year.
Sacha Washington was especially close with Moore. Both members of Vanderbilt’s 2021 recruiting class that joined Shea Ralph’s first Commodores team despite originally committing to Stephanie White, Washington and Moore made the choice to try it for just one year. If they didn’t like it, they could transfer. They became inseparable despite their different personalities − Moore was clean, tidy and with a sunny personality, while Washington was messier and goofy, constantly joking around.
After both players earned significant playing time their first year, being named to the SEC All-Freshman Team, the duo realized they could be part of rebuilding Vanderbilt. They were rewarded with Women’s NCAA Tournament appearances in 2024 and 2025, the former of which was the program’s first in a decade.
When Washington heard the news that Moore was leaving, she cried. But the two have stayed close.
“I cried when she was leaving,” Washington said. “It was definitely really sad for me, seeing someone every day for four years, it’s definitely heartbreaking when they’re leaving. But I know what’s best for her, and I know that no matter where she is in the planet, I’ll support her no matter what. She has a friend in life for me.”
Ralph also offered her support for Moore as the two prepare to face off.
“it’s so great to witness how she’s continued to grow and how she’s helped her team be better,” Ralph said. “We have so much love for Iyana Moore. She gave us four amazing years.
“She’s part of the foundation of our program and one of the reasons that we’re here is what she did for us when we got here. … She graduated from Vanderbilt. She went to Notre Dame. They’ve done a great job with her, and she’s a huge reason for them as well. Iyana is a winner, and I’m excited that we get to play against each other (Friday).”
Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at [email protected] or on X @aria_gerson.
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