The 2025 offseason in women’s college basketball kicked off with a banger. Star players are rethinking their futures, shaking up draft projections and team rosters alike. Olivia Miles, once a lock for the WNBA’s top tier, led the charge into the transfer portal. Her move, and others like it, could redraw the competitive map for next season.
Transfer Portal Is Shaking the Balance of Power in Women’s College Basketball
Olivia Miles was set to be a cornerstone of the 2025 WNBA Draft. Experts pegged her as the No. 2 pick, with a floor of third overall. Instead, she stunned the basketball world by opting to stay in college, though not at Notre Dame. A torn ACL sidelined her for the entire 2023-24 season, granting her a medical redshirt year. Now, she’s leveraging that eligibility to extend her amateur career.
Her choice reflects a growing trend. Players are wielding more control than ever over their paths. Miles’ stock was sky-high after a stellar 2024-25 season. She boosted her 3-point shooting to 40.8 percent, up from 24.6 percent pre-injury, while cementing her reputation as an elite playmaker. WNBA general managers dubbed her the draft’s safest bet behind UConn’s Paige Bueckers. Yet, she’s betting on herself for another year.
Money is a big factor in these transfers. The WNBA is hammering out a new collective bargaining agreement. If it passes, salaries could triple. A four-year rookie deal worth $350,000 might pale next to what Miles could earn entering the league in 2026. Agents are pushing this logic nationwide: stay in school, cash in later.
There’s also the lure of name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals. Miles, a two-time All-American, stands to rake in serious funds if she transfers soon. The House v. NCAA lawsuit wraps up April 7, likely capping unregulated “pay-for-play” arrangements.
She’s one of only two multi-time All-Americans to hit the portal, LSU’s Aneesah Morrow being the other. Collectives tied to universities will chase her, but only while she’s in college. Once she goes pro, even if those checks dry up, her external sponsorships should stick.
Another driving force is health. Miles told The Athletic in Birmingham, “My physical shape could be better.” She added, “This injury, it’s a long, long process. Even after you’re healed, get the rest of your body to catch up. I would say I’m not even 75 percent of the way there yet.”
Facing the WNBA’s physicality without full confidence in her body isn’t appealing. UConn’s Azzi Fudd made a similar call, skipping the draft to rebuild strength after injury-plagued seasons.
Miles also has unfinished business. Notre Dame hit the Sweet 16 again this year, her third straight, but fell short of their No. 1 ranking from February. Teammate Hannah Hidalgo’s ball-dominant style often clashed with hers.
Now, she can seek a program where she can run the show backed by a deeper roster. Notre Dame’s losing four key players and adding just one top-100 recruit didn’t help her case to stay.
She’s not alone in the portal. Florida State’s Ta’Niya Latson, another 2025 All-American, also chose college over the pros. Tired of early NCAA Tournament exits, she’s hunting for a better fit. LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson, a national champ as a freshman, wants to lead her own title run before leaving.
These moves signal a power shift. Players are prioritizing legacy, health, and cash over early pro jumps.
The ripple effects are already visible. Last season, UCLA and Texas reached the Final Four, TCU soared, and USC’s JuJu Watkins nabbed Player of the Year honors before an ACL tear cut her March short. Now, with Miles and Latson on the move, next year’s title chase could hinge on where they land. Watkins’ recovery timeline adds another wildcard for 2025-26.
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This isn’t just about one offseason. It’s a new era. Financial stakes are rising. Medical redshirts and NIL deals give players leverage. The NCAA Tournament’s pull remains strong—Miles, Fudd, and Latson all crave more March moments after injuries stole chances.
Colleges and WNBA teams alike are adapting to a reality where the athletes hold the reins. The 2025 transfer portal might have tilted the whole sport.
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