Haley and Hanna Cavinder are returning to Miami for their fifth and final season of collegiate eligibility, they announced on social media this week.
The twins helped Miami in 2023 reach its first-ever Elite Eight in their first season there after spending three years at Fresno State. They are among the biggest beneficiaries of name, image and likeness policies, capitalizing on their pandemic-era explosion in fame on TikTok to build an extensive NIL portfolio.
Both Cavinders originally intended to step away from basketball following their senior year and pursue a new chapter of their lives, including opportunities with WWE, but Haley announced in Nov. 2023 she had committed to play at TCU beginning in the 2024-25 season. On Wednesday, Hanna posted that she would be returning to basketball and finish her career at Miami, and then on Thursday Haley announced she'd be joining forces with her twin.
"My last season of basketball was one of the most successful & challenging yrs of my life but it helped me grow immensely," Hanna posted. "The past few months I have been itching to get back to the game that I thought I lost the passion for. With that being said, I am returning for one more szn."
My last season of basketball was one of the most successful & challenging yrs of my life but it helped me grow immensely. The past few months I have been itching to get back to the game that I thought I lost the passion for. With that being said, I am returning for one more szn🧡 pic.twitter.com/21oCjdLRM0
— Hanna Cavinder (@CavinderHanna) April 17, 2024
"Given the news yesterday that my sister was returning to play ball at Miami and after careful consideration and thought, I've decided to return to the University of Miami and play with Hanna for our final and 5th year," Haley said her in announcement. "There is nothing more important than family and the bond I share with my Twin sister. Being presented with the opportunity to play together one more time is something I cannot pass up. I am excited for this upcoming season and cant wait to play at the U."
— Haley Cavinder (@CavinderHaley) April 18, 2024
Haley, the 2021 Mountain West player of the year, earned second-team All-ACC honors in 2022-23, averaging 12.2 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, while Hanna averaged 3.8 points per game in a reserve role in her first season in Coral Gables.
The Hurricanes just hired a new head coach, Tricia Cullop from Toledo, following the retirement of Katie Meier, who was the ACC's longest-tenured leader.
The Cavinders had a fifth season of collegiate eligibility available to them as a result of a waiver the NCAA granted to student-athletes amid the COVID-19 pandemic.