Imagine a college basketball star making a bold decision to delay her professional dreams for one more year of collegiate play, only to explode onto the scene with a career-defining performance that leaves everyone in awe. That’s exactly what TCU’s Olivia Miles did, and it’s shaking up the basketball world. In a rivalry matchup against the formidable Baylor defense, Miles dropped a jaw-dropping 40 points—a career-high—solidifying her position as a top WNBA prospect for the 2026 draft. But here’s where it gets controversial: Miles could have been a top-five pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft had she not transferred to TCU. Was it a risky move? Absolutely. But did it pay off? You decide.
The 23-year-old senior point guard, who transferred from Notre Dame, has been nothing short of phenomenal in her lone season with the Horned Frogs. On Thursday, she led No. 17 TCU to an 83-67 upset over Big 12 rival No. 17 Baylor, showcasing her versatility with 10 three-pointers—another career best. And this is the part most people miss: Miles had already racked up 33 points before the fourth quarter even began, dismantling one of the nation’s top defenses. When asked about her performance, Miles humbly admitted it was among her top three career games, a far cry from her self-doubt just a year ago. “If you had told me I would score 40 in a game last year, I would’ve laughed at you,” she said, reflecting on her newfound confidence.
Miles’s dominance isn’t just a one-game wonder. She’s been averaging 19.7 points per game on 51% shooting, along with 6.8 rebounds and 6.7 assists. Her accolades speak for themselves: three Big 12 Player of the Week Awards, a spot on the Wooden Award watch list, and a top-10 ranking for the Nancy Lieberman Award. At Notre Dame, she was a two-time Second-team All-American and a three-time First-team All-ACC player, part of a dominant regular-season team that fell short in the postseason. Now, she’s rewriting her narrative at TCU.
TCU’s success this season is equally impressive. Last year, the Horned Frogs reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2010 and advanced to the Sweet 16 behind Hailey Van Lith’s leadership. This season, despite losing key players, head coach Mark Campbell has steered the team to a 22-4 record (10-3 in conference play). After the Baylor game, Campbell praised his team’s resilience: “We’ve been so close for a long time, just 1% away from winning these games. Credit to the team for grinding—it paid off today.”
But let’s circle back to Miles. Her decision to stay in college for another year has sparked debates among fans and analysts. Was it a gamble worth taking? Or did she miss out on an early WNBA career? One thing’s for sure: her performance against Baylor has silenced doubters and reignited the conversation about her draft potential. As we watch her journey unfold, one question lingers: Will Olivia Miles be the next big name in the WNBA? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is a debate you won’t want to miss.
