Juju Watkins may have taken the liberty to prank Trojans Nation on April fools, but Olivia Miles is looking no nowhere near it. The Notre Dame star, once expected to declare for the WNBA Draft, has stunned more than a few by opting to return to college. But instead of suiting up for the Fighting Irish, she entered the transfer portal. The silence around her decision only fueled speculation.

Notre Dame guard Olivia Miles will forgo the WNBA Draft and enter the transfer portal, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania. Miles, once projected as the No. 2 overall pick, admitted that she struggled with the choice. “It just changes every day. I love college. I think I’ve outgrown it a little bit, though, so that makes my decision tougher to stay. It’s comfortable, a place where you have security,” she said after Notre Dame’s Sweet 16 loss to TCU.

Despite the allure of the professional league, uncertainty played a role in her decision. While Notre Dame initially downplayed rumors of her departure, the reality soon became clear. Adding to the shake-up, the star guard, silent so far, just posted “😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨” 

The replies? Instant chaos. Notre Dame fans, still processing the gut punch, begged for closure. “Can you take NDWBB out of your Instagram profile? Love you, but it’s too triggering to see,” one wrote. Others made their recruitment pitches– UConn, Maryland, Iowa. But interestingly, it was the curious eyes that filled the comments. “don’t be shy say it with your chest,” they said.

While a few are holding out hopes for her to return to the Fighting Irish, both Miles and coach Niele Ivey’s comments seemed to have made clear that isn’t the case. Following thier tourney exit, the star guard would say, “At the end of the day, my goal coming to Notre Dame was to leave it better than I found it… I think I did a pretty good job of that.” She finished her season averaging 15.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, ACC leading 5.4 assists, and nation-leading 3 triple-doubles.

She would also help the team to Sweet 16 thrice, leaving Ivey grateful for her contributions. “They [Miles and Sonia Citron] will always have a special place in my heart because they believed in me when I took over this program,” she expressed.

When you are a projected No.2 draft pick and part of one of the best backcourt duos in the nation, a withdrawal from both hardly passes without noise. Fans are heartbroken and speculation are running wild. But while there are no answers to them, one thing is certain: her decision is a game-changer for other top prospects.

Olivia Miles’ Exit Shakes Up the Draft: Who’s Cashing In?

For some players, Miles stepping out means a golden ticket to a higher draft spot. Here’s who stands to gain the most from the shake-up.

Sonia Citron: The Biggest Beneficiary

No guard benefits more from Miles’ absence than her Notre Dame teammate Sonia Citron. Citron was one of the most underrated players this season, and with Miles out of the mix, her stock is set to rise on WNBA draft boards.

While Citron isn’t a traditional point guard, she excels as a wing who impacts both ends of the floor. Her ability to find passing lanes, disrupt defenses, and create transition points makes her an attractive option for teams seeking a versatile backcourt presence.

Aneesah Morrow: LSU’s Rebounding Machine on the Rise

LSU forward Aneesah Morrow has been a force of nature this season. She dominated the glass, rewrote NCAA history, and put up numbers that screamed WNBA-ready—including a jaw-dropping 30-point, 19-rebound performance against NC State in March Madness.

Now, with Miles off the board and ESPN’s Kevin Pelton reporting that the Seattle Storm are “extremely high” on France’s Dominique Malonga, the Washington Mystics could take Morrow at No. 3. That’s a massive leap for the LSU powerhouse, whose relentless energy and rebounding ability make her an instant-impact prospect.

Miles’ withdrawal might have left a void—but for Aneesah Morrow, it could be the key to skyrocketing up the draft.

With Olivia Miles no longer an option in the 2025 WNBA Draft, the board has been reshuffled in real-time. Players like Morrow, Citron, and Kiki Iriafen now have a chance to climb even higher, making this year’s draft one of the most unpredictable in recent memory.