Christian Hansen was privileged to sit down with 2015 McDonald’s All American and Notre Dame commit Ali Patberg at the Westin Hotel in Chicago this weekend. Patberg has great versatility, thriving at multiple positions on the floor because of her excellent fundamentals. She can easily create opportunities for teammates and also has a solid shooting range that extends all the way to the 3-point line. Patberg is a great ball-handler who breaks down opponents’ pressure with ease. Patberg joins fellow McDonalds All Americans Arike Ogunbowale and Marina Mabrey next fall at Notre Dame. She is the 11th girls McDonald’s All American to come from Indiana.

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself?

I am from Columbus, Indiana. I started playing basketball when I was three I always have been surrounded by a basketball family. I am all about the sport, I love watching it, talking about it playing it and I am a family person.

2. Can you kind of describe your high school basketball experience and what were some of your most memorable moments?

Up until this point I would have to say that playing high school basketball has been one of the best moments of my life. Being on a team where we were as close as a family, I loved my school and our program was so good. Freshman year we went to state where we finished second and then the next two years we lost to the state champions in the regionals. In my senior year we got back to state and won, so I would say high school basketball was pretty much perfect for me.

3. How excited are you to be a McDonald’s All American, you now join the same list as Elena Delle Donne, Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner, Candace Parker, the list is endless. How special is that?

It’s very special; I am blessed and thankful for this opportunity. To be on a list with those types of players its almost overwhelming and just even being here is unreal, it’s always been a dream of mine and it has come true and I am just going to take in every moment while I am here.

4. An incentive of being a McDonald’s All American at least for this year is that you get the chance to play in the United Center, a place that fostered the greatest basketball player of all time in Michael Jordan. How excited are you about that? Nervous?

I am very honored, you know Michael played there and Derrick Rose plays there and the Bulls play there. So you know like I said, I watch basketball and I watched a lot of Michael Jordan when he used to play so it’s just amazing to be able to get this opportunity.

5. Can you talk a little bit about your college decision, why did you choose Notre Dame? What was it about their program?

In 8th grade I watched them in the Final Four in Indianapolis, and I kind of fell in love with their team and the program and then I kind of found out more about the school and how good of an institution it was. It just felt like home the first time I went there.

6. What do you bring to Notre Dame next year both on and off the court?

Being a leader and I kind of get my teammates involved, I can pass the ball you know I just do whatever it takes to win. Whatever they need me to do I will do it.

7. What can Notre Dame fans expect out of you next season?

Everything I have, I am going to just give it my all and hopefully that’s good enough.