KANSAS CITY — TCU guard Olivia Miles said she knows many were surprised she bypassed being a likely lottery pick in the WNBA draft earlier this year to remain in college.

But with the WNBA’s ongoing collective bargaining negotiations, Miles, who transferred from Notre Dame for her final season, said she is content to observe that debate from afar.

“The WNBA is figuring out their own stuff [with the CBA] as we’re watching,” Miles, 22, told ESPN on Tuesday at Big 12 women’s basketball media day. “So, let them figure it out, and for one more year, I’ll enjoy college.”

After Miles’ junior season with the Fighting Irish was ended by TCU in the Sweet 16 in March, many expected her to then declare for the draft because she was age-eligible, having been at Notre Dame since her arrival in winter 2021. Instead, she opted to transfer and use her remaining season of eligibility at TCU. She is projected to be the No. 2 pick in ESPN’s most recent 2026 WNBA mock draft.

Miles said she knows there is a lot happening with negotiations for a new CBA, which has to be signed before the league moves forward with the expansion draft, the lottery for the 2026 regular draft and free agency. All that will have an impact on Miles’ future, but she is putting it to the side a while longer.

“Right now, it’s all still opinions on what is going to change,” Miles said of the CBA. “We hear there is going to be a lot of [player] movement and the league will look different next season. So, for now, I just prioritize what is right in front of me. I’ll start thinking about everything else later on.”

There is plenty for Miles to still accomplish in college. TCU is the preseason favorite in the Big 12, as chosen by the league’s coaches. Miles was a three-time all-ACC first-team selection at Notre Dame, where she averaged 14.2 points, 6.0 rebounds and 6.5 assists in 101 games.

She missed the 2022-2023 postseason and the entire 2023-2024 season with a knee injury. Miles said despite averaging 15.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.8 assists last season for the 28-6 Irish, she still wasn’t 100% confident in her preparation to be in the WNBA. So, she bypassed the 2025 draft.

“[The lottery potential] was a lot to leave on the table,” Miles said, adding with a smile, “My parents thought I was crazy. Everyone thought I was crazy. Heck, I still hear comments like, ‘It doesn’t make sense. Why would she come back? Why did she go there?’

“But I wasn’t in great shape, still, mentally. I had a great season last year, but I still wanted to get more consistent and more disciplined, and in better shape physically. I didn’t think I was ready. Being at TCU feels so aligned; I couldn’t pass up on the opportunity, especially with their style of play. Why not stay in college? The pros will still be there.”

The Horned Frogs had a breakthrough season in 2024-2025, going 34-4 and winning the Big 12 regular-season and tournament titles before making the Elite Eight, all program firsts.

But TCU lost four senior starters and needed an infusion of experience and talent. Miles, the preseason Big 12 newcomer of the year, brings that, and coach Mark Campbell’s program offers a pick-and-roll offensive system that will help Miles when she goes pro after this season.

“She’s going to be the ball-dominant kid, and she’s going to get the usage — all of our actions will run through her,” Campbell said. “She wanted to use this year to really, really get her mind right and get ready for the pros. And she’s acted like a pro since day one.”

Chelsea will make a fresh attempt to sign Spain striker Samu Agehowa, while Liverpool are plotting a move for in-form AFC Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.

Transfers home page | Men’s grades | Women’s grades

TOP STORIES

– Bayern Munich extend Kompany contract to 2029
– Forest hire Dyche as Postecoglou replacement
– Klopp refuses to rule out Liverpool return one day

TRENDING RUMORS

– Mohamed Salah’s poor form has Liverpool considering a January move for Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, according to the iPaper. Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United both scouted the Ghana winger during the last transfer window, but it’s the Reds that are firming as favorites to sign the in-form 25-year-old. The upcoming Africa Cup of Nations may play a big role in whether the mooted £75 million move is made; Salah will lead Egypt at the continental tournament but, with Ghana failing to qualify, Semenyo will be available to play club football throughout the fixture-heavy January period.

– Chelsea are prepared to make an £87m offer to FC Porto for striker Samu Agehowa next summer, according to Record. The Blues had been close to signing the Spain international from Atlético Madrid in the summer of 2024, but the move collapsed and he joined Porto instead. Samu scored 25 goals in his first season in Portugal, and has netted eight goals in nine games so far this term. The 21-year-old has a contract at the Estádio do Dragão until June 2029.

– Stuttgart have set their fee for Angelo Stiller at €50 million with Manchester United among the clubs who have expressed an interest in the midfielder but the 24-year-old’s valuation could still rise, according to Sky Sports Deutschland. While Stiller has a €40m release clause, the Bundesliga club can buy that out and make his transfer fee freely negotiable. Meanwhile, TEAMtalk reports that United are looking to January with their list of options featuring Sporting CP‘s Morten Hjulmand, Crystal Palace‘s Adam Wharton, Brighton & Hove Albion‘s Carlos Baleba, Borussia Dortmund‘s Jobe Bellingham and Porto’s Victor Froholdt. The Red Devils are optimistic that they can reunite coach Ruben Amorim with Hjulmand for £50m despite the 26-year-old’s £70m release clause, with this coming due to Sporting’s relationship with their former manager.

– Sky Sports Deutschland have offered an insight into the domino effect that could happen regarding free agent centre-backs in the summer. A final decision hasn’t been made on David Alaba‘s future but he is likely to leave Real Madrid, while the Saudi Pro League is watching the situation of his teammate Antonio Rüdiger with his future uncertain despite an offer having been tabled for a contract that runs until 2028. Liverpool‘s Ibrahima Konaté could be the replacement if either of them leave, while Marc Guéhi could replace the Frenchman at Anfield but is also wanted by Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. Dayot Upamecano could also move despite Bayern wanting to extend his contract to 2030.

– Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is weighing up a January loan move with Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United, Manchester City and Brentford all looking at the 20-year-old, according to TEAMtalk. Mainoo remains committed to the Red Devils, but the feeling is that he needs more minutes to aid both his development and ambitions to represent England at the FIFA World Cup. Man United’s lack of depth in midfield has raised questions about whether they will be willing to allow a loan move.

– Barcelona are monitoring Mallorca winger Jan Virgili and could look to re-sign him, as reported by Diario Sport. The 19-year-old left the Blaugrana for €3.5m this summer as he didn’t want to be part of a reserve team any longer, but Barca included a clause that would see them receive a percentage of the funds from his next move and another clause that would allow them to re-sign him. Virgili marked his return from the Under-20 World Cup by providing the assist for Vedat Muriqi‘s equaliser in Mallorca’s win against Sevilla.

EXPERT TAKE

ESPN’s Sam Tighe looks at how well Samu Agehowa would fit in at Chelsea:

In the summer of 2024, Samu looked all set for a move to Chelsea, following the conclusion of his gold medal-winning campaign with Spain in the Olympics, but the move fell through and João Félix joined instead.

That’s a series of events that the Blues have likely regretted ever since, as Samu has continued to blossom into one of Europe’s top young strikers at FC Porto — while Félix made minimal impact before being jettisoned to Saudi Arabia.

The Spain international is a powerhouse No. 9, able to bully defenders using his huge frame. Look back at his goals catalogue while on loan at Deportivo Alavés and you’ll see opponents literally bouncing off him and hitting the deck. He can back into centre-backs Romelu Lukaku-style, or hit the channels and stretch the pitch.

His time at Porto has given him useful experience of playing in a dominant team setup, as before all of his football had come for lesser sides who played more reactive football. This would aid a transition to a club like Chelsea, who are quickly developing a “type” that they like up front — Samu, Liam Delap and Marc Guiu are all battering ram centre-forwards.

OTHER RUMORS

– AC Milan had a scout at Parma’s goalless draw against Genoa to watch goalkeeper Zion Suzuki. (Nicolò Schira)

– Paris Saint-Germain centre-back Willian Pacho could extend his contract in the coming weeks, with an offer on the table to extend his deal by one year so it lasts until 2030. (Le Parisien)

– Clubs from across Europe are monitoring Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta. (Rudy Galetti)

– Massimiliano Allegri has given his approval for AC Milan to extend Fikayo Tomori‘s contract with initial informal discussions already taking place. (Calciomercato)

– Rodez centre-back Mathis Magnin is being monitored by various Ligue 1 clubs having impressed in Ligue 2. (Rudy Galetti)

– Several European clubs, especially from Italy and England, are monitoring Copenhagen centre-back Gabriel Pereira. (Rudy Galetti)

– Barcelona will not move in the January transfer window unless they suffer injuries. (AS)

– Bologna have turned down a “huge” offer from Saudi Pro League club Al Qadsiah for Riccardo Orsolini, and the Rossoblu are in talks to extend the winger’s contract until 2029 with the option for another year. (Nicolò Schira)