Vanessa de Jesus speaks on representing the Philippines, joining Notre Dame women's basketball

Hannah Hidalgo isn’t the only Notre Dame women’s basketball player getting international experience this summer. Duke transfer Vanessa de Jesus will be a member of Team Philippines in the FIBA Asia Cup in China this summer.

De Jesus held a Zoom meeting with a few reporters to talk about her upcoming experience with Team Philippines as well as what it’s been like in her first month as a Notre Dame student-athlete. The following is everything de Jesus said Tuesday morning.

Opening statement

“Hi everybody, and thank you again for coming and listening to me talk. I just wanted to reach out as, two summers ago I had a great time representing the Philippines at the FIBA Asia Cup and I just wanted to announce that I’m planning to represent them again this coming July in China. Just super excited to represent the Philippines and just get back out there with the team and hopefully get us to the World Cup.”

On how she’s changed since her last international basketball experience

“A lot of growth in my relentlessness and just the urgency of the time and the present. So, for me, I think we’ve really grown as a program. Myself but also the Philippines team. I think now is the time to really show it and not wait for the future. So, for me, it’s coming in with that mentality of the present and be ready to compete now and helping us win now. I think we have the group. If we just lock in, buy in together and understand putting in the work and just being really focused on giving it our all, I think that will help us win. A lot personally on the basketball court, it’s kind of taught me to take advantage of the moment and giving it your all.”

On having a deep NCAA Tournament run with Duke this past spring

“It was unfortunately an early ending, but it showed the ups and downs of the season and having to face adversity and proving others wrong. Last year, no one thought we would make it that far. It gives me that mentality of, it starts with the belief within the group. I think it can apply to the national team. Many people may doubt us, many think we won’t win as many games. But if we just buy in together and believe that the work we put in, the days before will help us for that moment. I think that’s as powerful as anything and we’ll surprise a lot of people.”

On there being a 2026 World Cup spot at stake in the Asia Cup

“I’m very motivated. That’s the No. 1 thing on my mind. But again, it starts one game at a time. So, for me, it’s playing Austria first. Then Japan. Then Lebanon. Then seeing where that leads after that. But I think we have a great team. And to be able to make history and represent the Philippines is huge for me. So if we can get these first couple of games and hopefully qualify for the pre-qualifiers to get into the World Cup, that would be the best thing. But yes, one game at a time.”

On international basketball experience translating to play in college and at Notre Dame

“It’s huge. The last time I played in the FIBA Asia Cup, just playing against other pros who do it year-round, older, wiser, have played the game for a long time, I think that brings experience that I can apply here at Notre Dame. Just with how competitive it is, running into difference playing styles playing against different countries, whether it’s faster or taller or different kind of schemes, that just helps me become a better point guard, a better basketball player. Growing my IQ and having the ability to learn it there and apply it to help the team here, it’s just that experience from the games and the different competition, different competitors, different playing styles, applying it there and bringing it here.”

On what it means to represent the Philippines

“It means everything to me. My family is a huge part of me growing up and just a big part of why I play basketball. To be able to represent them on an international level is very important to me. I’m very grateful for the opportunity. I hope to continue doing it and just giving back to my family, my culture who have just down so much for me is really important.”

On what she’s noticed about Notre Dame in her first month here

“It’s been great. Honestly, I can really feel the passion and excitement. With all of us being very new, coming from different places, just really excited to see what this group will bring. I’ve seen a lot of growth and love. Just excitement. I don’t even know how to describe it. Everybody is excited to come to practice. Every day, the work is great. There’s effort. There’s hard work. There’s energy. That’s where it starts, the connectivity that you have on and off the court. We’ve been spending a lot of time off the court as well, just hanging out, going to coach’s house. That will really show how much we’ve grown as a a team later on this year. I’m just really excited and I really love this group of people so far. I think it’s going to be a great season.”

On why she chose to pursue a graduate season at Notre Dame

“I’ve only played three years of college basketball, so getting that experience again and really just having a great year of college basketball for me is one of the biggest things. One of the biggest stages for women’s basketball is playing in the NCAA and I really wanted to have another year of that and take advantage of it. Being at Notre Dame, which is an amazing program, and being coached and developed here from these amazing coaches and playing with great players, that will set me up to become even better as a player and a person before heading to the pros. Part of it was the development and enjoying another year of college basketball. And winning a championship. I want to win. Being here at Notre Dame sets me up with a good chance to compete for that.”

On what goal she wants to accomplish at Notre Dame

“I want to make it to the Final Four. I don’t like getting ahead of myself, but, just again, competing well in the conference, winning our conference in the regular season and making a deep run in the tournament. And then for me personally my goal is always trying to make it to the W. It starts with the coaches here developing me and continuing to grow and getting pushed by the other great players here will help set me up for that.”

On what she learned about Notre Dame playing against the Irish with Duke

“A big reason on my decision was how great my vision was. That started with the people and the first time I met Coach Ivey, the first time I met the coaching staff, from every person I really felt that connection and the personability they had with me and just how invested in me they were as a person. I think that’s really important, seeing the belief they have in you as a person before a player. It’s been really great. A lot of positivity, a lot of encouragement, a lot of belief in who I can be and my potential to help this team this year. I’ve been loving it. Every day, working with them. Coach Ivey is my position coach and she’s been great. A person I can talk to about whatever it is. Basketball related, personal related. All of the coaches so far have been amazing. I’m really excited to get to know them and I think this year is going to be very fun.”

On the logistics of the Asia Cup for her

“I leave June 28, which is this Saturday, to go out and meet the team in the Philippines before we head out to Taiwan for a pre-tournament. It’s called the Jones Cup. It will be July 1 to July 7. And then from there, we’ll go back to the Philippines for a couple days of training camp before heading to China for the FIBA Asia Cup which starts on July 13. It will go until July 21, July 22, and then I’ll come back after that.”