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'A pioneer, a trailblazer': Women's basketball reacts to McGraw's retirement

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Notre Dame coach Muffet McGraw retired after 33 seasons Wednesday. Some of the reaction across college basketball:

''She pushed me and pulled things out of me I didn't know I had. What she did for me in those four years, I came in as a girl and left as a woman.'' - WNBA player Kayla McBride, who played for Notre Dame from 2010-14.

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''I have much respect for her as a wife, mother and a coach. She is a Hall of Fame coach who has achieved it all in her career.'' - Baylor coach Kim Mulkey, whose team beat the Fighting Irish in the 2019 national championship game.

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''Muffet is a pioneer, a trailblazer, a fierce competitor, a champion, a leader and an advocate for women's empowerment and equality. Her sustained success over decades has etched an incredible legacy in the archives of sport. It has elevated Notre Dame to one of the elite programs in the country, and I will forever be grateful for the privilege to have played for her.'' - Retired WNBA champion Ruth Riley, who made the game-winning free throws for Notre Dame in the 2001 national title game.

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''The relationships and the impact (McGraw and the assistant coaches) had on my life made me want to be able to give that to other people someday.'' - WNBA player Natalie Achonwa, who played for Notre Dame from 2010-14.

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''I've learned so much from her. She empowers women and empowers us to use our platforms for good.'' - WNBA player Arike Ogunbowale, who was part of Notre Dame's 2018 national championship.

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''Muffet has meant so much to our game for as long as I can remember. As a woman, a mom, a leader, and a national champion, she was someone so many could look up to. ... She cemented her legacy with how much she gave always back to the game and wanted more opportunities for young coaches to get into it.'' - North Carolina coach Courtney Banghart said.

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