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Michael Voppel
Kansas City– TCU guard olivia miles She said she knows many people were surprised that she overlooked a potential lottery selection in the WNBA Draft earlier this year to remain in college.
But with the WNBA’s ongoing collective bargaining negotiations, Miles, who transferred from Notre Dame for her final season, said she is content to watch that debate from a distance.
“The WNBA is figuring out its own stuff [with the CBA] As we’re seeing it,” Miles, 22, told ESPN at Big 12 women’s basketball media day on Tuesday. “So, let them figure it out, and for another year, I’ll enjoy college.”
After Miles ended his junior season with the Fighting Irish by TCU in the Sweet 16 in March, many expected him to declare for the draft then because he was age-eligible, having been at Notre Dame since his arrival in winter 2021. Instead, he opted to transfer and use his remaining season of eligibility at TCU. She is projected to be the No. 2 pick in ESPN’s most recent 2026 WNBA mock draft.
Miles said she knows there is a lot going on in the negotiations for the new CBA, which has to be signed before the league can move forward with the expansion draft, the 2026 regular draft and the lottery for free agency. All of this will impact Miles’ future, but she’s putting it aside for the time being.
“Right now, it’s still up to everyone to see what changes are going to happen,” Miles said of the CBA. “We hear there’s a lot going on [player] The movement and the league will look different next season. So, for now, I just prioritize what’s in front of me. I’ll start thinking about everything else later.”
Miles still has a lot to achieve in college. TCU is the preseason favorite in the Big 12, as selected by 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 for the 28-6 Irish last season, she was still not 100% confident in her preparation to join the WNBA. Therefore, he bypassed the 2025 draft.
,[The lottery potential] It was a lot to leave on the table,” Miles said, smiling. “My parents thought I was crazy. Everyone thought I was crazy. Heck, I still hear comments like, ‘That doesn’t make any sense.’ Why would she come back? Why did she go there?’
“But I still wasn’t in good shape mentally. I had a great season last year, but I still wanted to come in more consistent and more disciplined and in better shape physically. I didn’t think I was ready. Being at TCU feels great; I couldn’t pass up this 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, going 34–4 and winning the Big 12 regular season and tournament titles before placing first among all programs in the Elite Eight.
But TCU lost four senior starters and needed experience and talent. Miles, the preseason Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, brings it, and coach Mark Campbell’s program offers a pick-and-roll offensive system that will help Miles when he turns professional after this season.
“She’s going to be a ball-dominant kid, and she’s going to have to get used to that — all of our actions will run through her,” Campbell said. She wanted to use this year to really get her mind right and get ready for the pros. And he has acted like a professional since day one.”
