In what could be called a defining moment for women’s basketball, top female stars delivered unforgettable performances during a special homecoming event in New Jersey. And here’s where it becomes even more intriguing — many believe the WNBA might be next in line to experience a major surge. But how did this all come together? Let’s explore.
On January 21, 2026, the bustling Prudential Center in Newark buzzed with excitement as friends and family of Olivia Miles, the talented point guard from TCU, made their way through the crowded concourse. They moved swiftly between sections 8 and 9, eagerly gathering in anticipation of the game that day – a noon matchup between No. 12 Ohio State and No. 9 TCU. Olivia’s father, Yakubu, greeted each supporter as if welcoming family to a warm reunion, highlighting the deep connection between her and her hometown community.
Fans decked out in TCU jerseys sporting her No. 5, holding signs bearing her name, showed their unwavering support. It had been five years since Miles left her hometown of Phillipsburg, transferring early from Blair Academy to Notre Dame. Despite the journey and the changes, she returned to her roots as an accomplished All-American now playing for TCU, leading her team toward potential national championship glory and preparing to hear her name called during the WNBA Draft scheduled for April.
Before the game, Miles took a moment on the court to blow kisses and wave at her supporters, soaking in the moment of recognition. The crowd responded with heartfelt cheers. One young fan displayed a sign saying, “OLIVIA PLEASE BE MY BABYSITTER!” exemplifying the affection and admiration she clearly inspires.
Reflecting on her feelings, Miles shared, “It was a truly surreal moment to realize I have a whole village supporting me.” And this weekend wasn’t just about Miles — two Jersey girls shared the Newark stage, exemplifying the future of women’s basketball. Mikayla Blakes, a sophomore guard for No. 5 Vanderbilt and a former Rutgers Prep star, also returned home for the game, underlining her rising star status and her potential to be a top pick in the WNBA draft.
Together, Miles and Blakes symbolize the bright future of women’s basketball — a sport experiencing a remarkable rise in popularity, partly fueled by standout player Caitlin Clark’s impact. Evidence of this growth can be seen in the nearly doubling of viewers for the 2025 women’s NCAA Championship game, which attracted 8.6 million viewers, along with record-breaking attendance, social media engagement, and overall visibility for the league.
During Saturday’s game, Miles demonstrated why she’s such a sought-after talent. Despite a high-energy performance featuring her signature flossy moves and selfless style, her efforts — totaling 24 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists — couldn’t prevent her team from narrowly losing to Ohio State, 71-69, in front of a crowd of over 6,700.
Post-game, Miles focused on lessons learned, acknowledging, “There’s always a silver lining. We’ll review film and figure out how to improve. I believe I played well, but not enough. I need to involve my teammates more, and I take full responsibility for that.”
Meanwhile, Blakes, whose remarkable career includes scoring 55 points against Florida and 53 points versus Auburn as a freshman, also made her mark in the same event. She and Miles train together during their time at home with Grit Basketball coach Kerry Foderingham, and they share additional experience playing together for Team USA’s AmeriCup in Chile last summer, where they earned gold medals.
Foderingham praises their continuous growth, saying, “What’s most impressive is how they keep raising their standards. Olivia has firmly established herself among the top professional players globally, and Mikayla is rapidly joining that elite group. When Mikayla scored 19 as a freshman, I joked, ‘Are you allergic to 20 points?’ and she replied, ‘Next game,’ which she did. Then it was, ‘Are you allergic to 30?’ I had to retire that joke after she hit 55 points.”
Foderingham’s training company, based in Central New Jersey, watched closely as Blakes faced early foul trouble, which initially gave Michigan a 17-point lead in the first half. Despite setbacks, Blakes managed to finish with 14 points and 4 assists, contributing significantly in Vanderbilt’s narrow victory as they maintained a perfect 19-0 record.
Blakes reflected on their journey, saying, “We aim higher — we know what it takes to reach the tournament, and we want to go further. These games help us prepare for March Madness and the SEC tournament.”
Later in the day, she made her way to the Newark concourse, where over 100 family and friends gathered in joyful reunion. Among them was WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, herself a New Jersey native from Collingswood. Embracing Blakes warmly, they celebrated her achievements, surrounded by friends and supporters donning personalized shirts printed with her photo and the words, “Making history. Building a legacy.” Several fans posed with her, holding banners that declared, “Chef Mikayla Cooking It Up.”
By 5:30 p.m., Blakes was escorted back through a backstage area to the team bus, ready to catch a flight — the rush of a day filled with family, dreams, and the promise of a bright future for women’s basketball.
This celebration of talent and perseverance signals a new era where women athletes are recognized not just for their skills but as influential figures inspiring countless young girls. The question remains: Are you ready to see where this exciting journey will take the sport next? Do you agree that these rising stars will redefine women’s basketball in the years to come? Or do you believe the momentum is just beginning to build? Share your thoughts below.
