Olivia Miles Prioritizes Her College Career Over the WNBA
TCU’s talented point guard, Olivia Miles, surprised many by deciding to stay in college basketball instead of entering the WNBA draft this year. Miles, who transferred from Notre Dame for her final season, has chosen to observe the ongoing WNBA negotiations from afar, focusing on her development in the college arena. 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. After TCU eliminated Notre Dame in the Sweet 16 in March, Miles, who is age-eligible, was expected to declare for the draft. However, she opted to transfer and use her remaining season of eligibility at TCU. She is currently projected to be number 2 in the 2026 WNBA draft. Miles acknowledges the importance of negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) in the WNBA, which will affect her future. However, for now, she prefers to focus on her college present.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. A knee injury kept her out of the 2022-2023 postseason and the entire 2023-2024 season. Despite averaging 15.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.8 assists last season for the Irish, Miles didn’t feel completely prepared for the WNBA, which led her to postpone her entry into the 2025 draft.For 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
Miles added that mentally he wasn’t in the best shape. Although he had a great season, he wanted to be more consistent, disciplined, and in better physical shape. The opportunity at TCU, especially with their style of play, seemed like the right decision to him. 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, named as the Big 12 preseason player of the year, brings experience and talent. Coach Mark Campbell’s pick-and-roll offensive system will benefit Miles when she makes the jump to the pros after this season.There was a lot to leave 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 one who controls the ball and will have the use; all our actions will go through her. She wanted to use this year to really, really put her mind in order and prepare for the professionals. And she has behaved like a professional from day one.
Mark Campbell
