Haley Cavinder Transfers to TCU from Miami; Says She Felt 'Pressure' to Retire

Haley Cavinder announced Monday she's transferring from Miami to TCU for her final year of NCAA eligibility.

Haley and her sister Hanna said in April they were winding down their basketball careers to focus on other endeavors, including a contract with WWE. However, Haley said in October she was entering the transfer portal, a sign she intended to get back on a basketball court.

"I think ending it with Hanna and announcing that we were done and not going to take our fifth year, I felt—honestly, to be very transparent—a lot of pressure," she said to Forbes' Kristi Dosh.

Cavinder added that "there was nothing filling the love for the game," and she would've regretted it if she hadn't taken the opportunity to play for one more year.

TCU has already tipped off the 2023-24 season, opening with wins over Oral Roberts, Texas A&M-Kingsville and Rice. Because of that, Cavinder presumably won't join the Horned Frogs until the 2024-25 campaign, which was broadly her plan when she confirmed she was leaving Miami.

The 5'6" guard is bound to have a sizable impact. She was a three-time All-Mountain West honoree and the 2020-21 Mountain West Player of the Year during her three seasons at Fresno State. Her time at Miami was similarly fruitful.

Cavinder averaged 12.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game for the Hurricanes en route to being named to the All-ACC second team. Thanks in part to her contributions, Miami reached the Elite Eight for the first time in program history.

Cavinder's arrival might provide a boost beyond what she does on the court as well. She and Hanna have established a massive brand for themselves, and their reach extended beyond nearly every other college athlete.

Securing Cavinder's commitment will undoubtedly bring more exposure to TCU.