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, is closely watching the ongoing negotiations regarding the WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement.
After his junior season with the Fighting Irish ended in March, many expected Miles to declare for the draft. Instead, he opted to transfer and use his remaining season of eligibility at TCU. He is projected to be number 2 in the 2026 WNBA draft. Miles acknowledges that a lot is at stake with the negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement, which must be signed before the league proceeds with the expansion draft, the lottery for the 2026 regular draft, and free agency. All of that will have an impact on Miles’ future, but for now, he’s putting it aside.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.
Olivia Miles
There’s still a lot for Miles to achieve in college. TCU is the preseason favorite in the Big 12, according to the league’s coaches. Miles was a three-time All-ACC first-team selection at Notre Dame, where she averaged 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. Miles said that, despite averaging 15.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.8 assists last season for the Irish, she still wasn’t 100% sure of her readiness to be in the WNBA. Therefore, she did not declare for the 2025 draft.Right now, it’s all opinions about what’s going to change. We hear there will be a lot of movement of [players] 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
I left a lot on the table. My parents thought I was crazy. Everyone thought I was crazy. Hell, I still hear comments like, ‘It doesn’t make sense. Why would she go back? Why did she go there?’
Olivia MilesMiles added that she still didn’t feel mentally in shape. After a great season, she wanted to be more consistent and disciplined, and be in better physical shape. Being at TCU feels aligned, she couldn’t pass up the opportunity, especially with their style of play. Why not stay in college? The pros will still be there. The Horned Frogs had a successful season in 2024-2025, 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. But TCU lost four senior starters and needed an injection of experience and talent. Miles, the preseason Big 12 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.She is going to be the girl who controls the ball, and she is going to have the use: all our actions will be executed through her. She wanted to use this year to really, really clear her mind and prepare for the pros. And she has behaved like a professional from day one.
Mark Campbell
