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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Is this the end for Olivia Miles?
Even the Notre Dame star doesn’t know the answer to that question.
As a senior, Miles is eligible to declare for the WNBA draft. Most mock drafts place her as the No. 2 pick behind Connecticut star Paige Bueckers. An underwhelming end to another frustrating season for the Irish didn’t shake leaguewide confidence that Miles will be an immediate star in the WNBA.
But due to her injury history, Miles also could return for one final season at Notre Dame — and one final chance to lead the Irish to a title. It’s a tantalizing prospect for a senior who participated in only two NCAA Tournaments with Notre Dame.
In the locker room after Saturday’s 71-62 loss to TCU, Miles made it clear that her decision is still unsettled.
“I truly do not know what I want to do,” Miles said. “I literally have no idea. I need to make a few calls and talk to some people. … (I’m) leaning towards the draft. But tomorrow, I might wake up and be like, ‘I want to come back.’ It changes every day.”
Miles averaged 14.2 points and 6.5 assists across her four-year career at Notre Dame. At her best, the guard stood out as one of the top backcourt talents in the NCAA. But her collegiate career was set back significantly after she tore the ACL in her right knee in the regular-season finale in 2023, forcing Miles to miss the 2023-24 season.
The looming threat of injury is a strong factor to convince players to declare for the WNBA draft the moment they become eligible. But Miles didn’t want fear of another potential injury to be a main factor in her decision.
“I could get hurt walking to the bus right now,” Miles said. “Injury risk is always a constant, whichever way I go.”
For Miles, part of the decision is what she wants out of the next step of her life. Regardless of Miles’ future, fellow seniors Sonia Citron and Maddy Westbeld will depart the program after concluding their final seasons of eligibility.
Photos: TCU 71, Notre Dame 62 in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament
The trio has been a mainstay for Notre Dame. If Miles were to stay, she would be committing to building a new version of the Irish alongside sophomore All-America guard Hannah Hidalgo — a new undertaking after years of stability.
And at 22, Miles admitted that she’s ready to grow beyond South Bend.
“I love college,” Miles said. “I think I’ve outgrown it a little bit, though. That makes my decision tougher to stay. It’s comfortable, a place where you have security.”
After suffering a left ankle injury in the first round of the tournament, Miles said she also is considering the upside of taking a full offseason to recover rather than launching directly into the WNBA season, which begins in May — only seven weeks after the Sweet 16.
But is that layoff worth risking potential draft position?
The Seattle Storm currently own the No. 2 pick in the draft. But Miles’ draft stock could fluctuate if she waits until next spring, when stars such as UCLA’s Lauren Betts and UConn’s Azzi Fudd become available.
“I’m thinking about that top pick,” Miles said. “It’s hard to risk that. I trust in myself for whatever decision I make. Either decision would be good for me. I’m just trusting in myself. I’ll be confident in my decision that I make, for sure.”
Her indecision has been a focal point for the league throughout a tumultuous offseason. The Los Angeles Sparks traded the No. 2 pick to the Storm, citing the lack of clarity over who would be available at No. 2. The Chicago Sky traded the No. 3 pick to the Washington Mystics, a move that suggested the possibility of further upheaval at the top of the draft.
Miles ultimately will send ripples throughout the WNBA — no matter whether she chooses to stay or go.
But for now, the guard will remain undecided.
