University of Miami

Haley Cavinder enters transfer portal, may not be done with college basketball just yet

Miami Hurricanes guard Haley Cavinder (14) celebrates on the court with guard Hanna Cavinder (15) and forward Destiny Harden (3) as the Canes lead against the Florida State Seminoles during the regular season. They advanced to their first Sweet 16 in 31 years and will face Villanova on Friday.
Miami Hurricanes guard Haley Cavinder (14) celebrates on the court with guard Hanna Cavinder (15) and forward Destiny Harden (3) as the Canes lead against the Florida State Seminoles during the regular season. They advanced to their first Sweet 16 in 31 years and will face Villanova on Friday. adiaz@miamiherald.com

University of Miami point guard Haley Cavinder, who retired from college basketball after the Hurricanes historic Elite Eight run, entered the transfer portal and is exploring the idea of returning to the court for the 2024-25 season.

But it may not be with the Hurricanes.

Cavinder, who along with twin sister Hanna are social media sensations with 4.5 million TikTok followers, posted her highlights from the Hurricanes’ Elite Eight run to her Instagram account on Friday with the caption: “see you next season #year5”

A UM source confirmed ESPN and Associated Press reports that Cavinder submitted paperwork to enter the transfer portal. Her sister, Hanna, did not. When the twins were deciding whether to return for a fifth season or leave college basketball, Hanna wanted to quit, and Haley wanted to stay.

They eventually chose to leave after helping lead UM to its first Elite Eight with upset wins over Oklahoma State, Indiana and Villanova. Since leaving the Hurricanes they have been promoting their various sponsors and working with the WWE.

ESPN reported that Cavinder entering the transfer portal is “exploratory and that staying at Miami is certainly possible.” But UM already signed Duke transfer Shayeann Day-Wilson, a former ACC Rookie of the Year, through the transfer portal.

The Cavinders arrived at UM with much fanfare. Haley won Mountain West Conference Player of the Year, averaging 19.8 points per game in back-to-back seasons at Fresno State. She started all 35 Miami games last season and shot a career-best 40.4 percent from three-point range. Over her years at both schools she averaged 16.7 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists.

This story was originally published October 13, 2023 at 5:40 PM.

Michelle Kaufman
Miami Herald
Miami Herald sportswriter Michelle Kaufman has covered 14 Olympics, six World Cups, Wimbledon, U.S. Open, NCAA Basketball Tournaments, NBA Playoffs, Super Bowls and has been the soccer writer and University of Miami basketball beat writer for 25 years. She was born in Frederick, Md., and grew up in Miami.
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