The women’s basketball star, Olivia Miles, surprised many by deciding to stay in college basketball instead of entering the WNBA draft this year. Miles, who joined TCU after transferring from Notre Dame for her final season, shared her reasons for this choice.
The WNBA and Negotiations
Miles, 22, explained that the current situation of the WNBA, with ongoing negotiations for the collective bargaining agreement (CBA), influenced his decision. He prefers to observe the development of those discussions from a distance. The WNBA is handling its own business [with the CBA] while we watch. So, let them figure it out, and for one more year, I’ll enjoy college basketball. After TCU eliminated Notre Dame in the Sweet 16 in March, Miles was expected to enter the draft. However, he opted to transfer to TCU and use his final year of eligibility. Miles is projected as number 2 in the 2026 WNBA mock draft. The player is aware of the importance of the negotiations for the new CBA, which will impact her future. For now, she prefers to focus on the present.Right now, it’s all opinions about what’s going to change. We hear there will be a lot of player movement and 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
Objectives in University Basketball
Miles has a lot to achieve in college basketball. 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. A knee injury prevented her from playing the 2022-2023 postseason and the entire 2023-2024 season. Despite averaging 15.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.8 assists last season with the Irish, Miles didn’t feel completely prepared for the WNBA, which led her to postpone her entry into the 2025 draft.There was a lot I was leaving on the table. My parents thought I was crazy. Everyone thought I was crazy. In fact, I still hear comments like, ‘It doesn’t make sense. Why would she go back? Why did she go there?’
Olivia MilesMiles felt that she needed to improve mentally, be more consistent and disciplined, and be in better physical shape. The opportunity at TCU, especially with their style of play, was too attractive. The Horned Frogs had a standout season in 2024-2025, with a 34-4 record and winning the Big 12 regular season and tournament titles before reaching the Elite Eight, historic achievements for the program. The arrival of Miles, considered the best new player in the Big 12 in the preseason, and coach Mark Campbell’s pick-and-roll offensive system will help her transition to professionalism.She is going to be the dominant player with the ball, and she is going to have the most involvement; all our actions will be executed through her. She wanted to use this year to really get her mind in order and prepare for the pros. And she has acted like a professional from day one.
Mark Campbell
