Duke Miles, the 6’2” senior guard, recently committed to Vanderbilt, marking his third commitment this offseason after stints with Oklahoma, Virginia, and Texas A&M. Announced yesterday by Joe Tipton of On3 Sports, Miles’ latest move has triggered curiosity and plenty of chatter across the college basketball world.
While Vanderbilt fans hope he’ll be a key piece for the Commodores, his recent journey through the portal raises questions about whether Nashville will truly be his final stop.
A Career Defined by Movement
Miles’ college basketball journey has not been straightforward. He began at Troy, then moved to High Point, before landing at Oklahoma for the 2024/2025 season. At Oklahoma, Miles played in 34 games, with an average of 9.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game.
NEWS: Oklahoma transfer guard Duke Miles has committed to Vanderbilt, he told @On3sports.
The 6-2 senior averaged 9.4 PPG this season. Was previously committed to both Virginia and Texas A&M this portal cycle before ultimately landing on Vandy. https://t.co/QhnZFsMQVw pic.twitter.com/LdrgTsuzaq
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) May 12, 2025
He was ranked as a four-star prospect and 6th combo guard in the On3 Industry Transfer Portal Rankings; Miles drew immediate interest. Earlier last month, just five days after entering the portal, he committed to Virginia.
But that decision unraveled quickly. Four days later, he decommitted, leaving fans scratching their heads.
Then came Texas A&M, where he signed a National Letter of Intent under new head coach Bucky McMillan. Yet, on May 2, he requested a release, which the Aggies granted three days later. Vanderbilt has emerged as his latest destination, but the college basketball community isn’t entirely sold that he’s done moving.
Vanderbilt’s Hopes Under Mark Byington
The Commodores, led by head coach Mark Byington, are coming off a successful 2024/2025 season that saw them earn a 10-seed in the NCAA Tournament, their first appearance since 2017.
Despite a first-round loss to St. Mary’s, Byington has renewed energy for a program desperate for relevance in the SEC. Miles is Byington’s seventh transfer commit this offseason, joining guards Frankie Collins, Tyler Tanner, and freshman Jaylon Dean Vines in a revamped backcourt.
With all scholarship spots now filled, Vanderbilt is banking on Miles’ experience to help them take the next step. The Commodores haven’t won an NCAA Tournament game since 2012, and a player like Miles, who’s battled in the SEC and has excellent experience scoring, could be a difference-maker.
His track record has left many in the NCAA world skeptical about his latest commitment to Vanderbilt.
His quick decisions and reversal pattern have drawn a lot of criticism from fans. Some have pointed out the absurdity of transferring to three different schools without even setting foot in a practice gym, as one X user noted. Others have speculated on how long he’ll last at Vanderbilt, with one user setting an over/under of 10.5 days before he decommits again.
KEEP READING: 2025 Men’s College Basketball Transfer Portal Tracker
This doubt isn’t merely fan chatter; it reflects broader concerns about the transfer portal’s impact on college basketball. Programs will invest time and resources into recruits, only to see the player leave at the first sign of a better opportunity.
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