By R.L. Bynum
Olivia Miles sent shockwaves through the women’s basketball world with her decision to enter the transfer portal rather than declare for the WNBA draft, where she was projected to be a top-two pick.
This is particularly intriguing for North Carolina fans, considering that Miles thought about playing for Coach Courtney Banghart at Princeton before she left for UNC.
Miles is a two-time All-American second-team pick with one year of eligibility remaining.
The native of Summit, N.J. — 40 miles from Princeton — considered playing for Banghart, according to a Jan. 29, 2020, story on ESPN.com written during her senior high school season at Blair Academy.
“I would have gone there if she didn’t leave,” Miles said in the story of Banghart, who was named Carolina’s coach on April 30, 2019, during Miles’ junior year in high school. “I wouldn’t have committed there, but it would’ve had a very high chance because all my family wants to see me play.”
Before committing to Notre Dame, the final six schools she considered included Princeton, UNC, Stanford, Oregon and UConn.
With the Huskies losing a generational talent in Paige Bueckers, they would likely welcome Miles. Coach Geno Auriemma also has a relationship with Miles, having recruited her in high school, and the proximity to her hometown in New Jersey might also be appealing.
The money equation is also important, and Miles will likely command big money.
After making the All-ACC first team in her first two seasons with the Irish, she missed the entire 2023–24 season rehabbing a knee injury suffered in February 2023. She returned last season to earn All-ACC first-team honors again.
She averaged a career-high 15.4 points per game last season, leading the ACC in assists (5.8 per game) for the third time in her career.
Part of Miles’ decision to enter the transfer portal may be because her role has changed since she returned from injury, given the high usage rate of sensational sophomore Hannah Hildalgo, who was fifth in the country in scoring last season at 23.8 per game.
Another factor is that when the WNBA strikes a new collective bargaining agreement with the players, the rookies in 2026 will stand to make significantly more money than the 2025 rookies.
The players opted out of the previous CBA and will play the upcoming season under the current CBA rules, which will expire in 2027. The Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese and the Dallas Wings’ DiJonai Carrington suggested on the “Unapologetically Angel” podcast that players may strike if the league doesn’t meet their demands.
Whatever she decides, the Miles story will be one of the most intriguing of the transfer portal season.
Projected roster if all players with eligibility other than Elina Aarnisalo, Lanie Grant,, Taliyah Henderson and Liza Ashtakhova and Liza Ashtakhova return, with years listed for next season (UNC is one below the 15-player limit)
| Year | No./ Stars | Players | Pos. | Height | |
| Freshman | 5 star | Kate Harpring | PG | 5–10 | |
| Freshman | 52/4 star | Noelle Bofia | F | 6–4 | |
| Sophomore | 3 | Gabby White — W | G | 5–10 | |
| Sophomore | 7 | Nyla Brooks | W | 6–1 | |
| Sophomore | 26 | Taissa Queiroz | G | 6–1 | |
| Junior | 34 | Blanca Thomas | C | 6–5 | |
| Junior | 1 | Jordan Zubich | G | 5–11 | |
| RS junior | 21 | Ciera Toomey | F | 6–4 | |
| RS junior | 4 | Laila Hull | W | 6–1 | |
| Senior | Sophie Burrows — X | G | 6–2 | ||
| Senior | 11 | Achol Akot — Y | F | 6–1 | |
| Senior | 10 | Reniya Kelly | G | 5–7 | |
| Senior | 15 | Sydney Barker | G | 5–6 | |
| Graduate | 13 | Chloe Clardy — Z | G | 5–9 |
W — Virginia transfer; X — Syracuse transfer; Y — Oklahoma State transfer; Z — Stanford transfer
Former players who entered transfer portal
| Player | Class next season | Pos. | Hgt | Next school |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elina Aarnisalo | Junior | G | 5–10 | UCLA |
| Lanie Grant | Junior | G | 5–9 | TCU |
| Taliyah Henderson | Sophomore | W | 6–1 | Clemson |
| Liza Astakhova | Sophomore | G | 6–2 | BYU |
Photo courtesy of the ACC
