Kathryn and Maddy might be the only Westbelds you’ll see shooting hoops on your television, but they’re by no means the only hoopers in the household. While Kathryn is only a bully on the boards these days, ask their elder brother Adam, and he will tell you she sent boys home crying as a kid. However, as the Westbeld sisters became the only active pair of sisters in the WNBA, they faced each other last night. And although the night was a special one for all seven members of their family, it would’ve been straight up surreal for Kathryn and Maddy, who faced each other for the first time ever.

Are Kathryn Westbeld and Maddy Westbeld related? What’s the connection between the two?

Yes, Kathryn and Maddy Westbeld are indeed related. But the common notion that they are twins happens to be false. Kathryn and Maddy are two of the five Westbeld kids. While Kathryn is the middle child amongst the five, Maddy is next in line making her elder to only her younger brother Benjamin. Amanda is the eldest, and Adam is after her in order.

Although Maddy and Kathryn have a difference of 6 years between them, the two have no trouble connecting and share a special bond, one that extends to the hardwood. “We’re not twins technically but that’s literally my best friend. I ride or die. Honestly, every time I was growing up about making a decision, she’s the first person I would go to to ask. Um especially when it came up to basketball” she said in an interview posted by the WNBA.

While the sisters have a difference of age between them, they have still entered the WNBA in the same year. Maddy, who was drafted 16th overall in the 2025 draft calls it “divine timing” as her elder sister’s return from overseas basketball has coincided with her entrance to the WNBA. After Kathryn went undrafted in 2018, she started her career overseas fighting to achiever her dream no matter what. After all, she knew her little sister was watching. “To have someone kind of looking up to you, it’s made me live a certain way not only for myself but my two younger siblings.” Kathryn said. “It’s an honor to have a small role of who she is today, it’s such a blessing to watch her now and be on the same level as her. I’ve been waiting for her to catch up to me, and now she’s finally here.” 

The sisters might have different allegiances in the WNBA now but their love for the Fighting Irish is something that they’ll always have in common.

Which college did Kathryn Westbeld and Maddy Westbeld attend? 

Both Kathryn Westbeld and Maddy Westbeld attended the University of Notre Dame, where they played collegiate basketball for the Fighting Irish women’s team. While Kathryn Westbeld played for Notre Dame from 2014 to 2018, Maddy followed in her sister’s footsteps, contributing to the Fighting Irish’s success from 2020 to 2025. Both sisters made significant impacts during their time at Notre Dame, each surpassing 1,000 career points—a rare achievement by the Westbeld sisters.

While Maddy headed straight to the WNBA upon the completion of her NCAA eligibility, Kathryn had to take the overseas route after she went undrafted. After chasing her elusive dream for seven long years, including a time when she had to work a desk job, she finally achieved her dream. And she did it with her proud little sister by her side. “I didn’t want to get stuck overseas and be in an uncomfortable situation so I was living at home and my dad was like you’ve got to do something,” Kathryn said. “It was 9-to-5 every day. I’m grateful for the experience, but I know I do not want to be sitting in an office for my career. I didn’t give up on it (basketball), and I’ve been progressing ever since.”

Who are the parents of Kathryn Westbeld and Maddy Westbeld?

Kathryn and Maddy are two of the five Westbeld children and are the daughters of Jim and Susan Westbeld. Jim and Susan got married in 1992 after dating for four months and have been married for over 30 years now. While everyone around compliments the work ethic and tenacity of the Westbeld sisters, Kathryn says her parents never asked for it, they just led by example. “They both work extremely hard and have set the example for me and my siblings. They never have to say anything. I’ve just watched them as I’ve grown up.” she said

Their mother, Susan Westbeld attended Centerville High School in Centerville, Ohio and previously worked as a Senior Data Analyst at LexisNexis, according to her Facebook profile. Although her daughter credits Susan and her husband for her mentality, the mother will tell you it’s the fire within her. “She doesn’t require that [pep talks],” Susan says. “Kathryn has her own fire and motivates herself. I just call her and we talk about food, we cook together, have coffee together (on Facetime). Never did we have to give her any type of drive. She had it.”  

Maddy & Kathryn’s father, Jim, who is 6’7″ tall, is a former high school football player and took his daughter, Maddy, to her first rec-league basketball game. He graduated from Wright State University with a degree in Business Administration in 1996, according to his LinkedIn profile and is currently working as a Senior Loan Officer at Polaris Home Funding Corp, as of April 2025.