Former Notre Dame basketball star Olivia Miles transfers to TCU

Olivia Miles Makes Shocking Transfer to TCU Women’s Basketball

In a move that has sent shockwaves through the college basketball world, star guard Olivia Miles has announced her transfer from the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to the TCU Horned Frogs.¹ The news broke early Tuesday morning, just ten days after TCU defeated Notre Dame in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament.

Miles, a 5-foot-10 senior point guard, was widely projected as a top-three pick in the upcoming WNBA Draft. However, she surprised many by opting to return to college for her final year of eligibility and entered the transfer portal. Her decision to join the Horned Frogs is a massive coup for head coach Mark Campbell and a significant boost for the TCU program, which is coming off its most successful season in history, including a Big 12 regular season and tournament championship and an Elite Eight appearance.

A Star-Studded Career at Notre Dame

During her four seasons with the Fighting Irish, Miles established herself as one of the premier players in the nation.² As a senior in the 2024-2025 season, she averaged an impressive 15.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game, showcasing her versatility and ability to impact the game in multiple ways.³ Her stellar performance earned her Second-Team All-American honors from the Associated Press and USBWA, as well as First-Team All-ACC accolades for the third time in her career.⁴

Miles consistently filled up the stat sheet, demonstrating her prowess as a playmaker and scorer. She holds the ACC record for career triple-doubles with six and is one of only three players in Notre Dame history to record over 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, and 500 assists. Her court vision and passing ability are exceptional, and she has also developed into a reliable scorer, improving her three-point shooting to over 40% in her senior season.

A Bold Move to Fort Worth

Miles’ decision to transfer to TCU is particularly intriguing given the Horned Frogs’ recent victory over her Notre Dame squad in the NCAA Tournament. This familiarity could have played a role in her choice, as she witnessed firsthand the program’s growth and the culture Coach Campbell has built.

TCU is no stranger to landing top talent through the transfer portal. Last season, they added graduate transfers Hailey Van Lith (from LSU) and Sedona Prince (from Oregon), who were instrumental in the team’s historic success. Miles is expected to seamlessly step into the lead guard role vacated by Van Lith and form a potentially dominant backcourt alongside returning starters Maddie Scherr and Donovyn Hunter.

National Championship Aspirations?

With the addition of Olivia Miles, TCU’s expectations for the 2025-2026 season have skyrocketed. They retain key players from their Elite Eight run and have also added Kentucky transfer Clara Silva, a 6-foot-7 center. The Horned Frogs now possess a formidable roster with a blend of experience, talent, and versatility, positioning them as a legitimate contender for the national championship.

However, Miles’ transfer has drawn some comparisons to Kevin Durant’s move to the Golden State Warriors after losing to them in the playoffs, a decision that was met with considerable criticism. Some fans have expressed surprise at Miles joining the team that just eliminated her from the tournament.

Despite any external noise, the addition of a player of Olivia Miles’ caliber is undeniably a game-changer for TCU women’s basketball. Coach Campbell has once again demonstrated his ability to attract elite talent, and the Horned Frogs are poised to build on their recent success and potentially reach even greater heights in the upcoming season. The basketball world will be watching closely to see how Miles integrates into her new team and whether TCU can translate their star power into a deep NCAA Tournament run.