Notre Dame guard Olivia Miles is foregoing the WNBA draft and will instead enter the NCAA transfer portal, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
Miles was projected to be the number two pick in the draft.
Instead, the 22-year-old Miles will use her one remaining year of college eligibility, but not with the Fighting Irish.
Miles averaged 15.4 points per game, 5.6 rebounds per game, 5.8 assists per game, and shot 48.3 from the floor in the 2024-2025 season, which ended in disappointment for the Irish as they fell short expectations in the NCAA Tournament, being eliminated by TCU, 71-62, in the Sweet Sixteen.
Miles wasn't just one of the Irish's best players -- she also excelled in the classroom. Her departure will lead to a lot of different ripple effects, especially with senior guard Sonia Citron moving on. Senior forwards Liatu King and Maddy Westbeld, who were also key parts of the Irish roster, do have a year of eligibility left.
Perhaps the biggest question centers around Hannah Hidalgo -- what will the sophomore guard do with Miles leaving?
There's also the question of why Miles would leave the program for another school and another in college instead of picking the pros or staying in South Bend.
Other ramifications are more obvious. It's clear the Irish are losing a star, though they were prepared to see her head to the pros anyway. Now we'll have to find out which school is gaining Miles' talent -- and which WNBA prospect will be taken number two in her stead. Obviously, WNBA teams will have to wait one year to employ Miles.
This is stunning news, and we'll have to see how Miles' decision causes ripple effects down the road.
Notre Dame's Olivia Miles – the projected No. 2 pick in the WNBA draft this month – will forgo the draft and enter NCAA's transfer portal, sources tell ESPN. The 22-year-old top prospect makes unprecedented decision to use her one year remaining of college instead of the draft. pic.twitter.com/NaODcCzc38
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 1, ...
