Olivia Miles Prioritizes Her College Career Over the WNBA
The talented basketball player, Olivia Miles, has made a decision that has surprised many. Instead of opting for the WNBA draft, where she was projected as a lottery pick, Miles has decided to stay in college basketball for one more season. Following his transfer from Notre Dame to TCU for his final year, Miles has expressed his peace of mind observing the ongoing negotiations regarding the WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement from afar. The WNBA is sorting out its issues [with the collective bargaining agreement] while we watch. So, let them sort it out, and for one more year, I’ll enjoy college. After his junior season with the Fighting Irish ended in March, many expected Miles to declare for the draft. However, he opted to transfer to TCU, where he will use his remaining season of eligibility. Miles is aware of the importance of negotiations for a new collective agreement, which will have an impact on his future. However, for now, he prefers to focus on what lies ahead.Miles has a lot to achieve in college. TCU is the preseason favorite in the Big 12, according to the league’s coaches. At Notre Dame, Miles was a three-time All-ACC first-team selection, averaging 14.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 6.5 assists in 101 games. She missed the 2022-2023 postseason and the entire 2023-2024 season due to a knee injury. Although she averaged 15.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.8 assists last season for the Irish, she didn’t feel completely ready for the WNBA, so she decided not to participate in the 2025 draft.Right now, it’s all opinions about what’s going to change. We hear there will be a lot of player movement and that the league will look different next season. So, for now, I’m just prioritizing what’s in front of me. I’ll start thinking about everything else later.
Olivia Miles
Miles added that mentally she wasn’t in top form. Although she had a great season last year, she wanted to be more consistent, disciplined, and in better physical shape. She didn’t feel ready. Last season, the Horned Frogs had great success, with a 34-4 record and winning the Big 12 regular season and tournament titles before reaching the quarterfinals, all unprecedented achievements for the program. TCU lost four senior starters and needed an injection of experience and talent. Miles, the Big 12 preseason newcomer of the year, provides that, and coach Mark Campbell’s program offers a pick-and-roll offensive system that will help Miles when she turns pro after this season.There was a lot I was leaving on the table. My parents thought I was crazy. Everyone thought I was crazy. I still hear comments like, ‘It doesn’t make sense. Why would she go back? Why did she go there?’
Olivia Miles
She is going to be the dominant player with the ball, and she will have the usage: all our actions will be executed through her. She wanted to use this year to really, really put her mind in order and prepare for the pros. And she has behaved like a professional since day one.
Mark Campbell
