Olivia Miles Prioritizes Her College Career Over the WNBA
The talented basketball player, Olivia Miles, has surprised many by deciding to stay in college basketball instead of making the jump to the WNBA, where she was expected to be a prominent pick. Miles, who joined TCU after transferring from Notre Dame for his final season, has chosen to observe the debate over the WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement from a distance. The WNBA is handling its own business [with the CBA] while we watch. So, let them sort it out, and for one more year, I’ll enjoy college basketball. After his junior season with Notre Dame ended in March, many anticipated his entry into the draft. However, Miles chose to transfer to TCU, where he is projected to be number 2 in the 2026 WNBA draft. Miles emphasizes that there is a lot at stake with the negotiations of the new collective bargaining agreement, which must be signed before the league moves forward with the expansion draft, the lottery for the 2026 regular draft, and free agency. Although all this will affect his future, for now he puts it aside.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 in 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 felt she still wasn’t completely sure of her readiness for the WNBA, leading her to decline 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 he didn’t feel mentally in optimal condition and wanted to be more consistent, disciplined, and in better physical shape. The opportunity at TCU, especially with their style of play, was something he couldn’t pass up. 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 quarterfinals, unprecedented achievements for the program. Miles, considered the newcomer of the year in the Big 12, will bring experience and talent to the team. 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 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 will be the player who dominates the ball and will have a lot of participation; all our actions will revolve around her. She wanted to use this year to really, really, get her mind in order and prepare for professionalism. And she has behaved like a professional from day one.
Mark Campbell
