Notre Dame fans — and much of the larger NCAA women's basketball community — were shocked when Olivia Miles announced her decision to enter the transfer portal after the team's loss to TCU earlier this year. That Miles ultimately ended up at TCU surprised many even further, but her performance so far this season has already demonstrated the move was the right one to make.
Miles scored her 7th career triple-double Saturday when she hit 15 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds during the Horned Frogs' 95-40 win over UTEP. Miles is also the only Division 1 player with at least 25 double-doubles and five triple-doubles.
Olivia Miles is expected to be a first-round WNBA Draft pick in 2026
Miles, who is a graduate student at TCU, is expected to be drafted in the first round of the 2026 WNBA Draft. Though it's not yet clear which team could end up selecting her, many have long advocated for Miles to land with the Seattle Storm.
The match could be mutually beneficial. Miles would be able to come into the team as a traditional point guard who could learn to play well with Dominique Malonga, who will be entering her second season with the team. She'd also be great back-up for Skylar Diggins (though it's not currently clear if Diggins will sign with the team again during free agency).
Miles was eligible for the 2025 Draft this year, but opted to spend another season in school — a decision that has so far paid off for her. So far this season Miles has logged multiple high-scoring games for TCU, and in her first two games she showed off an improved 3-point shot. That latter skill will be especially important if she ends up with the Storm (and plenty of other teams, including the Golden State Valkyries and newcomers the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire, would appreciate that skill as well).
In October Miles admitted that she was happy to have sat out the Draft this year in light of the ongoing CBA negotiations taking place between the WNBA and the WNBPA. "The WNBA is figuring out their own stuff [with the CBA] as we're watching," she told ESPN at the time. "So, let them figure it out, and for one more year, I'll enjoy college." Some outlets have predicted that Miles could be drafted as high as the No. 2 overall spot next year (and if she keeps playing like this, she could even threaten that No. 1 position).