Mark Campbell has certainly been working some magic. First, a program’s trip to the Elite Eight alongside Hailey Van Lith that screamed Coach of the Year moment, and now this? Programs better stay on their toes. Only weeks after expressing her dilemma over declaring for the draft and returning to college, Olivia Miles has reportedly committed to TCU. Yep, the same team that knocked Notre Dame out of the tournament. That’s some bag of surprises from the 22-year-old. Or should we have been expecting since long?

“I love college; I think I’ve outgrown it,” the previously project lottery pick had said after their season came to a halt. “That kind of makes my decision tougher to stay.” If Miles was hinting at withdrawing from the draft, people just chose to ignore. But here we are, and The Ringer WNBA Show national reporter Emily Adler, is here to make it seem not all so random. 

“This is just a very interesting transfer portal story to me… we talked a little bit about Olivia Miles and the things that we want to see from her — like another year of the three-point shooting sample size,” Adler said on the podcast. 

Miles is a gifted passer and floor general, and her three-point graph this season? One of the best. The star guard went from 22.8% last season to 40.6% for 2024-25. However, she struggled from three late in the season — only about 29% over her last 10 games — and in the NCAA Tournament, her defense was shaky at times. “In the tournament,” Adler said, “she was getting taken out of the game in critical moments.” So if she wasn’t quite ready for the WNBA, why not just stay at Notre Dame? Because what’s coming in 2026 might be way bigger than what the WNBA is offering right now.

“Obviously we know the implications of the 2026 CBA,” Adler said. “Maybe [Miles] didn’t want to declare for this draft… she’ll play the same minutes [at TCU], but she’ll be playing more of that spread, pick and roll style that can prepare her for the WNBA. I think it makes a lot of sense.”

That’s the key: the WNBA’s current collective bargaining agreement ends after next season. In 2026, the league’s new media deal kicks in — and it’s worth billions. That means the next CBA is expected to bring higher salaries, better travel, and more benefits across the board. If Miles had declared for this year’s draft, she’d be locked into the current rookie contract — around $348,000 total over four years. Not bad, but nothing close to what she could make with a new CBA and new rules in place.

“Whatever Olivia Miles is going to make for making that transfer,” Adler said, “I think it’s going to be a lot more than the rookie scale salary in the WNBA.” With NIL money now flowing in college sports, Miles could make more at TCU next year than she would in the pros. And she gets to keep developing her game under a coach who knows how to prep guards for the W.

Just look at Hailey Van Lith — she transferred to TCU too, played under Mark Campbell, and completely reworked her draft stock. Now Miles is following that same route. Campbell’s offense is more pro-style — heavy on pick-and-roll, spacing, and guard reads. Instead of being the do-everything star at Notre Dame, Miles can now refine her game in a system built to look more like what she’ll face in the WNBA. And she can still cash in thanks to TCU’s NIL resources.

Olivia Miles knows the league is changing, and she’s not rushing in just because people expected her to. She’s betting on herself. Waiting for the right timing.

“You all have me for life”: Olivia Miles bids farewell to Notre Dame

Instead of going pro, Miles entered the transfer portal. She was one of over 1,200 women’s basketball players to do so in the past two weeks. Now, she’s set for a fresh start at TCU. Her time at Notre Dame officially ended with a Sweet 16 loss to the very team she’ll now join. 

On social media, Miles posted a heartfelt farewell. She thanked the school, her teammates, and the entire Notre Dame community.

“Words can’t express how honored I am to have met, spoken with, and played for each of you over the past four and a half years,” she wrote. “Your support means everything to me, and as I prepare to complete my graduate degree, I know that the University of Notre Dame will always be a key part of my story.”

She showed gratitude for the coaching staff who helped guide her through early enrollment and recovery from injury. “Your leadership has truly inspired me,” she added. To her teammates, Miles offered a message filled with love and loyalty. “To my teammates, past and present, I wouldn’t be where I am today without you. I’m incredibly proud of our journey together and can’t wait to see us continue to grow as both players and women — you all have me for life.”

Notre Dame will look different next season. Sonia Citron, Maddy Westbeld, Kiatu King, and Liza Karlen are graduating. Freshman Katie Koval has entered the portal and is heading to LSU. As for Miles, her next chapter is in Fort Worth. One more run in college basketball — then all eyes on the 2026 WNBA Draft.