Mark Campbell has turn out to be one of the efficient recruiters within the switch portal period of ladies’s school basketball. In simply two seasons as head coach at TCU, he’s reworked the Horned Frogs right into a reliable nationwide contender.
In 2023, he landed Sedona Prince and Madison Conner. One yr later, he shocked the game by including Hailey Van Lith, who had already been to a number of Elite Eights with Louisville and LSU. That trio helped TCU go 34-4, end 19-0 at residence, and attain the Elite Eight for the primary time in program historical past.
Now, Campbell has reeled in one other game-changing guard.
In response to a number of reviews, Olivia Miles is transferring to TCU lower than two weeks after the Horned Frogs ended her Notre Dame profession within the Candy Sixteen. The information was first reported by On3’s Talia Goodman. Miles later confirmed her intent to switch to TCU utilizing an look on TNT and the college has additionally issued a proper announcement.
If it holds, the Horned Frogs will add one other All-American level guard with WNBA-level expertise — a blueprint that simply took them inside one win of the Ultimate 4.
From South Bend to Fort Price
eternally grateful. 🤍🫶🏽☘️ pic.twitter.com/yeBMEoq6lA
— Olivia Miles (@oliviamiles06) April 8, 2025
Miles arrived at Notre Dame with famous person expectations and lived as much as the billing. She averaged 14.2 factors, 6.0 rebounds, and 6.5 assists throughout 4 seasons and earned All-American honors twice. She was extensively projected because the No. 2 total choose within the 2025 WNBA Draft, however selected to return to school as a substitute.
Now, she’s poised to switch Van Lith because the lead guard at TCU.
Whereas Van Lith thrived on scoring aptitude and unshakable confidence, Miles brings a mix of measurement, imaginative and prescient, and offensive versatility that ought to match seamlessly into Campbell’s system. Each guards share a aggressive edge and deep event expertise, however Miles will put her personal stamp on the function.
She’s additionally stepping right into a state of affairs constructed for her success. TCU’s infrastructure — from its participant improvement to its fan base — has turn out to be a draw for top-tier expertise.
Along with Miles, the Horned Frogs have additionally added 6-foot-7 middle Clara Silva from Kentucky and guard Taliyah Parker from Texas A&M through the switch portal.
Van Lith’s Legacy Units the Stage for Miles
In some ways, Olivia Miles’ arrival may mirror what Hailey Van Lith achieved in only one season at TCU.
Van Lith averaged 17.9 factors, 5.5 assists, and 4.5 rebounds. She led TCU to its first-ever Elite Eight and have become the primary participant — male or feminine — to achieve 5 Elite Eights with three completely different applications. However her legacy prolonged past numbers.
“I’m sitting up right here now with girls that I really like and a coach that I really like and a group that I really like,” Van Lith stated after TCU’s loss to Texas. “We aren’t even unhappy about shedding. We’re unhappy that we aren’t going to see one another most likely subsequent week.”
Her bond with teammates and her vulnerability resonated throughout the game. She opened up about struggles with psychological well being and the load of attempting to meet her potential after transferring twice.
“It was a variety of nights of being, like, ‘I really feel like God has put this factor on my coronary heart to be nice, but it surely’s not figuring out proper now,’” Van Lith stated. “Loads of occasions I had to have a look at myself within the mirror and simply be like, ‘What would you like, Hailey? Who’re you?’”
Van Lith discovered solutions in Fort Price.
“I’m grateful for it,” she added. “I’m grateful for the truth that (God) gave me a tough journey as a result of I might not be the lady I’m sitting up right here with out it.”
For Campbell, the affect was plain.
“I don’t know the standards with reference to getting your jersey hung at TCU,” he stated, “however I’ve a tough time believing that anyone in any sport in a single yr can have a higher affect than what Hailey Van Lith has had at TCU.”
With Van Lith projected to be a top-10 choose within the upcoming WNBA Draft, Miles now steps into the highlight to be the focus of a system with a longtime basis.
