Cavinder twins bring double dose of buzz to UM women’s basketball team in 2022-23
The Cavinder twins arrived on the University of Miami campus this summer with four million TikTok followers, 800,000 Instagram followers, more than $1 million in endorsements and a burning desire to prove they are serious ballers.
They are determined to help take the University of Miami women’s basketball team to new heights.
The Hurricanes’ season tips off Monday at 4 p.m. with a home game against Maryland-Eastern Shore, and much of the preseason buzz has centered on Haley and Hanna Cavinder, identical 5-6 guards who transferred from Fresno State to UM.
They are best known for their TikTok dances, which they started doing for fun and to stay connected to fans during the pandemic. The videos went viral. Known for their entrepreneurial spirit, they capitalized on their popularity and are among the most marketed athletes in college sports thanks to the new name, image and likeness (NIL) rules that allow collegiate athletes to accept sponsorships.
The Cavinder twins, 21, have been at the forefront of NIL since July 1, 2021, when they became among the first athletes to sign endorsement deals. They flew to New York City for the occasion, signed with Six Star Pro Nutrition and Boost Mobile and appeared on a Times Square billboard.
But they remind reporters every chance they get that they were basketball players long before they were social media sensations. They have been gym rats since they were little girls growing up in Arizona.
The Cavinders combined to average 34.2 points per game in their three seasons at Fresno State. Haley was the Mountain West Player of the Year as a sophomore in 2020-21 and made an all-conference as a freshman and a junior. Hanna was all-conference as a freshman.
They said they decided to transfer because they wanted to play in a higher-profile league and experience the NCAA Tournament. They fell in love with the UM program during their visit and felt at home because they have Florida ties.
Their father, Tom, played at Nova Southeastern from 1992 to 1994, their grandparents live in Naples and their older sister in St. Petersburg, so when they were looking for a more competitive program to transfer to, Miami came to mind.
Once they met coach Katie Meier, they were sold.
“I love her honesty,” Hanna said. “Right when we got on campus, I could see the relationship she has with her players and that’s something you can’t fake. It’s undeniable, so it was hard to say no.”
Meier and the returning Hurricane players are impressed by the twins’ work ethic and competitive nature.
“The No. 1 thing they bring is they never get outworked,” Meier said. “I want people to understand that they are determined workers. Basketball is a very serious thing in their lives. They don’t back down from any challenge. They are bold. They’re going to find a way to win and that has elevated our whole team.”
Haley scored the first points of the season on a three-pointer in the first minute of the first scrimmage last Wednesday against Barry University. Hanna dished out six assists. Both played with intensity.
Sophomore guard Ja’Leah Williams said: “The twins are more than just NIL and social media. Their work ethic is remarkable the way they’re in the gym early in the mornings. Their energy, their support, it feels like they’ve been here a long time. There was a connection with us like a snap of a finger from the minute they got here.”
Last season Miami finished tied for seventh in the league but made a surprise run in the ACC tournament. Destiny Harden, who is back for her final season, made national headlines when she scored the game’s last 15 points and hit a turnaround jumper at the horn to stun No. 4 Louisville 61–59 in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals. UM lost to NC State in the ACC title game.
The Canes had a tough draw in the NCAA Tournament and lost in the second round to eventual national champion, No. 1 South Carolina.
UM was picked to finish sixth in the ACC Preseason poll. The five teams ahead of Miami all rank in the top 15 of the AP Preseason Top 25. The Canes received 11 votes in the national poll. In addition to the Cavinders, new players to watch include freshmen Kyla Oldacre and Lazaria Spearman. Lola Pendande and Karla Erjavec are back and add experience.
2022-23 SEASON AT A GLANCE
Last season: 21-13, 10-8 ACC, ACC Championship Game runner-up, Second Round NCAA Tournament
Who’s Gone: Mykea Gray, Kelsey Marshall
Key Players Back: Destiny Harden, Karla Erjavec, Ja’Leah Williams, Lola Pendande, Jasmyne Roberts, LaShae Dwyer
New Players to Watch: Haley and Hanna Cavinder, Lazaria Spearman, Kyla Oldacre