South Bend Times

The University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish women's basketball team started signing day strong with Olivia Miles, a 5'11" guard from Phillipsburg, New Jersey, signing a letter of intent to play for Head Coach Niele Ivey.

ESPN's high school women's basketball ranks Miles as the nation's second overall player, and first at her position, according to coverage by 24/7 Sports. 

In the 2019-2020 season at Blair Academy, Miles averaged 13.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.6 assists per game, and she scored her 1,000th career point during the season, according to a post on the university's signing day website. She also led her school to its first Prep State Championship since 2017.

In all three years of high school ball, Miles also earned First Team All-State honors, according to the post.

Ivey, who recently assumed her position at the helm of the Fighting Irish after the retirement of Muffet McGraw, said that she was excited with the talent she has recruited so far, according to the post. She said her choices, including Miles, have exemplified what she wants to build into her team: "strong work ethic, high character, confidence, competitive mentality and swagger."

"Olivia is a special talent and one of the most dynamic guards I've ever seen," Ivey said. "She has incredible quickness, tremendous vision and that ability to make everyone around her better."

Ivey said that Miles is a "poised floor general," great at one-on-one play and a "true competitor," according to the post.

"From her no-look passes, deep scoring range, and elite finishing package, she will bring a whole new level of swag to South Bend," Ivey said. "I can't wait to see her flourish in our system and help lead our program back to the top."