On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
Olivia Miles spurning WNBA Draft could spark trend in women's game
The nets have been cut and champions crowned in college basketball.
Now fans are left with trying to figure out which players are landing where and for how much. The men's transfer portal has been getting a lot of attention, but there's a story in the women's game that could spark a change.
On Tuesday, All-American guard Olivia Miles announced on "NBA on TNT" that she's transferring from Notre Dame to TCU. This is big news considering how elite Miles has proved to be. At 5-foot-10, the senior has an exciting and versatile skill set. Miles put up 15.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game. TCU, fresh off its best season in program history, is getting one of the premier players in the game.
The bigger story, though, is what she closed the door on, at least temporarily. Miles was projected to be a lottery pick in the WNBA Draft, which is April 14. Some even considered her to be the second-best prospect behind UConn guard and recent champion Paige Bueckers. This can be a shock to the system for fans accustomed to players rarely bypassing the status that comes with being a high pick.
It's a new day, though. For many, hooping on campus for an extra year or two can be more profitable. According to On3.com, LSU's Flau'jae Johnson has the highest NIL valuation in women's basketball at $1.5 million. Bueckers has been estimated to be at $1.4 million. The projected top draft pick made history as the first NIL athlete to have their own Nike player edition basketball sneaker. It's also not uncommon to see women's players pushing brands in commercials.
According to Spotrac, the top four picks in the WNBA Draft will make $78,831 as rookies. The total value of their rookie-scale contracts is $348,198. Double-check the numbers again, and it's not hard to understand why it makes sense to keep collecting NIL dollars.
Miles has the potential to increase her value. Her game is marketable, and she will be one of the marquee names, especially with the likes of Bueckers and TCU's Hailey Van Lith heading to the professional world. Miles already has brand deals as well. These include Hello Gorgeous! and Stackwell Capital Digital Investment.
Miles isn't alone in her decision to bypass the draft, either. Johnson, Ta'Niya Latson (who recently transferred from Florida State to South Carolina) and UCLA's Lauren Betts are returning to school. Latson was the nation's leading scorer. Betts, who was the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year, just signed a NIL deal with Champion of Westwood.
The aforementioned players have given themselves another year of development, for sure. However the opportunity to grow their marketing portfolio and bank accounts can't be ignored. Other rising women's players are probably paying attention, too. It just takes a few to set a trend.
More must-reads:
- Five under-the-radar prospects to know before 2025 WNBA Draft
- The 25 greatest NCAA men's and women's tournament coaches
- The 'Women's Division I college basketball coaching wins leaders' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
Browns make curious decision with rookie QB Shedeur Sanders
The Cleveland Browns are giving Shedeur Sanders special treatment in training camp, but it's not the type of favoritism the fifth-round pick would necessarily want. Per Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN, Sanders is the only Browns quarterback who has not been taking reps with the first-team offense during OTAs or the first two practices of training camp. Former Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick Kenny Pickett, veteran Joe Flacco and rookie Dillon Gabriel have all split reps with the first team. Despite being asked to throw passes to members of the equipment staff amid a shortage of professional pass-catchers for a four-quarterback roster, Sanders said he's thankful for the opportunity to show the Browns coaching staff his talents. "I feel like that it's not in my control, so I'm not going to think about that or even have that in my thought process of why it is," Sanders said to a question as to why he's not getting first-team reps. "There's a lot of people who want to have the opportunity to be at this level, and I'm here and I'm thankful to have the opportunity. So, whenever that is, that is." Sanders, 23, believes that he can contribute more to the Browns than what the coaching staff is asking of him. "It doesn't make me feel down or left out because I know who I am as a person," Sanders said. "I know who I am as an individual and I know what I could bring to this team. So, I can never feel less than any circumstance." The Browns selected Sanders with the No. 144 pick in April's draft. As a player whom many draft analysts thought was a first-round talent, Cleveland took what could be the steal of the draft in the fifth round. It's curious why the Browns aren't giving Sanders a shot with the first team early in training camp before the quarterback race becomes more serious. Cleveland should see what Sanders has to offer this summer. Flacco, 40, isn't a long-term solution at the position. Pickett failed in Pittsburgh. The Browns need to gauge what rookies Gabriel and Sanders can do with the first team. Having Sanders throw balls to the equipment staff is a waste of everyone's time. But then again, Cleveland has wasted plenty of quarterbacks.
New suitor emerges for Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez
The Arizona Diamondbacks have plenty of suitors for third baseman Eugenio Suarez. A new team has reportedly entered the market for his services. Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the Phillies have reached out regarding Suarez. While Lauber did not provide any indication as to whether or not those talks have gained traction, the Phillies are an intriguing suitor for the Diamondbacks' third baseman. The Phillies' interest may be a recent development. Jon Heyman of the New York Post speculated on Friday that the Phillies could emerge as a suitor in the wake of third baseman Alec Bohm landing on the injured list with a fractured left rib. Suarez is in the midst of what is arguably his best season thus far. He has produced a .249/.321/.587 batting line in 421 plate appearances entering Saturday with 36 homers and a major league-leading 87 RBI. Suarez would be more than just another powerful bat in the lineup. Designated hitter Kyle Schwarber and first baseman Bryce Harper are both left-handed hitters — adding Suarez would provide more balance in the batting order. He would also provide a counter against opposing managers bringing in a lefty reliever to face Schwarber and Harper. The biggest question would be how the Phillies would handle an eventual logjam on the roster. Bohm is expected to return from the IL in mid-August and would not have a clear path to regular at-bats if Suarez were acquired. Schwarber could theoretically return to left field to open up playing time at the DH spot, but his outfield defense is mediocre at best. However, as the Phillies are also looking to upgrade the outfield, where Max Kepler and Brandon Marsh have been disappointments, adding Suarez could solve several problems in one fell swoop.
Former NBA 1st-Overall Pick Boston Celtics Must Consider Signing
Markelle Fultz played 21 games for the Sacramento Kings during the 2024-25 season. The former Washington star had averages of 2.9 points, 1.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists per contest while shooting 41.8%. This summer, Fultz became a free agent who is available to sign with any team in the league. On July 27, he still remains unsigned. One team who I believe should consider signing Fultz is the Boston Celtics. They are not expected to be a contender for the title (due to Jayson Tatum's injury), so they can use the year to take chances on other players. At this point in the summer, it's likely that Fultz could be signed for a minimum (or non-guaranteed deal). Fultz was initially the first pick in the 2017 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. The longest tenure of his eight-year career came with the Orlando Magic (five seasons). During the 2023 season, Fultz had averages of 14.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.5 steals per contest while shooting 51.4% from the field and 31.0% from the three-point range in 60 games. The Celtics have a long history of getting the most out of their players. Fultz could end up thriving with stable orginzation such as the Celtics. He will be a name to keep an eye on before the start of training camp. Via The Orlando Magic (on March 18, 2023): "Markelle Fultz in March: 17.0 PTS 4.4 REB 6.3 AST 1.5 STL 55% FG"
Vikings Raise Concern on QB J.J. McCarthy as He Nears First NFL Season as Starter
The Minnesota Vikings knew they were getting a strong-armed quarterback when they drafted J.J. McCarthy last year, but the second-year signal-caller may be just a bit too strong so far. McCarthy has taken the lead in training camp after the team let veteran Sam Darnold leave in free agency following his career-best season. The Vikings have returned to their plan to have McCarthy at the top of the depth chart after an injury ended his rookie season before it began, but the team has one concern with the quarterback so far -- he's throwing too hard. Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said McCarthy has been throwing well overall, but sometimes puts too much velocity on throws that require more touch. "He's working on different trajectories," O'Connell said. "You're still seeing the revolutions on the ball but not that heavy finish." ESPN's Kevin Siefert reported that McCarthy is showing progress, dropping a nice pass into the hands of tight end T.J. Hockenson during practice then putting the proper touch on another pass to wide receiver Jalen Nailor. "There is still more work to be done, of course. Earlier in the practice, McCarthy had rifled a short pass toward running back Aaron Jones, who couldn't react fast enough to catch what should have been an easy completion," Siefert wrote. "But close observers of practice can see the progress."
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
