Cavinder twins announce departure from Miami to ‘start a new chapter’
Aday after the WNBA draft, two more college basketball stars announced that they are moving on with their careers. On Tuesday, the Cavinder twins made a shared post on Instagram announcing their departure from the Miami Hurricanes. Haley and Hanna were part of the team’s first-ever Elite Eight run in this year’s NCAA tournament.
“Thank you for an unforgettable season,” the sisters said in a letter addressed to Miami. “The love and support we received from the university and the city were special. … Hanna and I have decided to not take our fifth year and start a new chapter in our lives. The U will always be home and we are forever proud to be Hurricanes.”
The Cavaliers, who are trailblazers in the NCAA’s name, image, and likeness era, joined Miami last April after transferring from Fresno State. Haley was a starting guard as the Hurricanes marched to a historic season and averaged 12.2 points per game. Hanna, also a guard, came off the bench and averaged 3.8 points per game.
NIL DARLINGS: The Cavinder twins, ‘queens’ of college sports endorsements, poised to make $1 million
The sisters were on track to earn $1 million in NIL money and transferred to Miami for a bigger platform. They have a combined 1.3 million followers on Instagram and 4.5 million followers on their joint TikTok account.
The Cavaliers, who are trailblazers in the NCAA’s name, image, and likeness era, joined Miami last April after transferring from Fresno State. Haley was a starting guard as the Hurricanes marched to a historic season and averaged 12.2 points per game. Hanna, also a guard, came off the bench and averaged 3.8 points per game.
“They can make a lot more money on their own,” Jeff Hoffman of Everett Sports Management told on 3. “This is kind of a bridge – maybe some of the most highly-paid basketball players on the planet. And they’re deciding to go pro in something else. NIL was to provide opportunities and that’s exactly what it’s done.”
Coach Katie Meier sat out the first three games of the basketball season in a self-imposed sanction as the NCAA investigated her role in connecting the twins with local businessman John Ruiz. The Cavinders signed with Ruiz’s company for their NIL deals after joining the Hurricanes. The school received a $5,000 fine after the NCAA concluded its investigation.
Among the twins’ deals are with the WWE, Victoria’s Secret, Boost Mobile, and Raising Cane’s.
Fellow Hurricane Destiny Harden was selected by the Phoenix Mercury in the third round of the WNBA draft.