Olivia Miles delays jump to WNBA due to CBA and focuses on TCU

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 expected to be a prominent pick, Miles has decided to stay in college basketball for one more year. The TCU quarterback, who previously played at Notre Dame, explained that the current situation of collective bargaining in the WNBA influenced her decision. “The WNBA is resolving its own issues with the collective agreement while we watch,” Miles commented. After a standout season with the Fighting Irish, many expected Miles to declare for the draft. However, she chose to transfer to TCU and take advantage of her final year of eligibility. Currently, she is projected to be number two in the 2026 WNBA draft. Miles acknowledges that there is a lot at stake with the negotiations of the new collective agreement, which will impact his future. However, for now, he prefers to focus on what lies ahead. “Right now, it’s all opinions about what’s going to change,” Miles said.

I prioritize what’s in front of me. I’ll start thinking about everything else later.

Olivia Miles

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, she was a three-time All-ACC first team selection, averaging 14.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 6.5 assists in 101 games. After missing the 2022-2023 postseason and the entire 2023-2024 season due to a knee injury, Miles felt that, despite averaging 15.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.8 assists last season, she still wasn’t completely ready for the WNBA. Therefore, she decided to postpone her entry into the 2025 draft. “There was a lot to leave on the table,” Miles said, adding with a smile: “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?’ Miles explained that she didn’t feel completely mentally and physically prepared. The opportunity at TCU, especially with their style of play, was too attractive to pass up. “The pros will still be there,” she stated. The Horned Frogs had a successful 2024-2025 season, with a 34-4 record and winning the Big 12 regular season and tournament titles before reaching the quarterfinals, unprecedented achievements for the program. With the arrival of Miles, coach Mark Campbell’s program offers a pick-and-roll offensive system that will benefit Miles when he makes the jump to the pros after this season. “She’s going to be the dominant player with the ball, and she’ll take the lead; all our actions will revolve around her,” Campbell said. “I wanted to use this year to really get her mind in order and prepare her for the pros. And she’s behaved like a professional from day one.”