“I just missed it a ton”: Miami’s Haley Cavinder finally reveals why she came back for fifth college basketball season 

It has been 590 days since Haley Cavinder participated in a college basketball game. After making a significant impact on the Miami Hurricanes, who became the first team in the program’s history to reach the Elite Eight, Cavinder. That's where she led the team in scoring with an average of 12.2 points per game. Not only that, but she also earned a spot on the All-ACC First Team in 2023.

However, she decided to step away from the game, leaving one year of eligibility unused.

“I missed it,” Cavinder shared with For The Win recently.

She aslo said:

“I think that’s inevitable to always miss your sport when you walk away from it. But having the what-if—like, what if I took my fifth year? I need to take my fifth year to know that I did it. I just missed it a ton. I’m such a competitive person, so just being able to have that feeling again is something I’m looking forward to.”

Haley and her twin sister, Hanna, who also played for Miami, have emerged as trendsetters in the NIL landscape. They turned their basketball achievements and millions of social media followers into successful careers.

Especially as entrepreneurs, influencers, models and podcasters. The sisters signed lucrative deals with brands like WWE, Victoria’s Secret, Boost Mobile, Crocs and TurboTax and even appeared at the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Runway.

Haley Cavinder couldn’t stop thinking about the sport she loved

On Monday at 11 a.m. ET, the Miami Hurricanes will face Stetson in their season opener, marking Cavinder’s return to competitive play for the first time in over a year. However, Miami is eager to have Cavinder, with her 40.4% shooting percentage from three-point range, back in Coral Gables.

Additionally, Hanna will also be returning to the game. The Cavinder Twins are expected to play under the guidance of head coach Tricia Cullop in her upcoming season with the team.

“They wanted to come back together... And I was thrilled,” Cullop told For The Win. “They said, ‘Would you take both of us?’ I pulled up the film and I thought I’d be crazy not to. They’re both so skilled, they’re hard workers, and they can—not only score themselves—but set up other people. They set the tone every day.”

Initially, Haley intended to return to college basketball independently. After just a few months away from the sport, she declared her decision to play a fifth season and entered the transfer portal.

Having previously been a Mountain West Player of the Year at Fresno State and proving her skills at the ACC level with Miami, she quickly became a highly sought-after player in the transfer market.

Over her four seasons split between Fresno State and Miami, she averaged an impressive 16.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. By mid-November, she announced her commitment to TCU.

However, her transfer occurred while the season was already underway. She was deemed ineligible to compete last season and spent her time training with the Horned Frogs.

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