The world of women’s basketball has been buzzing with excitement following the confirmation of one of the sport’s most anticipated relationships. Maddy Westbeld, the talented rookie forward for the Chicago Sky, has officially confirmed her romantic relationship with former Notre Dame teammate Olivia Miles, who recently transferred to TCU. What began as a close friendship between two elite college basketball players has blossomed into a love story that has captured the hearts of fans across the nation.
The relationship confirmation came through a carefully orchestrated social media reveal that was sent through the basketball community. Miles posted a 13-photo Instagram carousel over the weekend with the simple caption “pov,” featuring intimate moments between the couple that left little doubt about their romantic connection. The post included mirror selfies and cozy photos that fans immediately recognized as a “hard launch” of their relationship, marking the end of months of speculation and subtle hints.
For those who have followed both players’ careers closely, the relationship confirmation wasn’t entirely surprising. The signs had been there for months – from shared vacations to social media interactions that went beyond typical teammate friendship. Their bond, forged during their time together at Notre Dame, has clearly evolved into something deeper and more meaningful. The couple even co-parents a cat named Bean Miles-Westbeld, complete with its own Instagram account, showcasing their commitment to building a life together despite their demanding athletic careers.
This revelation has positioned Westbeld and Miles as one of women’s basketball’s newest power couples, joining the ranks of other prominent WNBA relationships that have helped increase visibility and representation in professional sports.
The Notre Dame Connection: Where It All Began
The foundation of Westbeld and Miles’ relationship was built during their time as teammates at the University of Notre Dame. Both arrived as highly touted recruits, with Westbeld joining the Fighting Irish as a five-star prospect ranked 23rd in her class. Miles, equally impressive, was projected to be a top WNBA draft pick throughout her college career.
Their partnership on the court was immediately evident. Westbeld made an immediate impact in her freshman year, starting all 20 games and averaging 15.2 points and 7.9 rebounds. She earned ACC Rookie of the Year honors and was selected to the First Team All-ACC, establishing herself as one of the premier players in the conference. Miles, despite dealing with injuries that limited her freshman season to just six games, showed flashes of brilliance that would define her later college career.
Over their four seasons together at Notre Dame, both players developed into cornerstone pieces of the Fighting Irish program. Westbeld became one of the most decorated players in school history, ranking in the top 10 all-time in rebounds, blocks, and minutes played. She reached the milestone of 1,000 career points, becoming the 42nd player to achieve this feat in an Irish uniform.
Their on-court chemistry was undeniable, but it was their off-court bond that truly set them apart. The duo became inseparable, supporting each other through injuries, victories, and defeats. This close relationship laid the groundwork for what would eventually develop into a romantic partnership that has now captured the attention of the entire women’s basketball community.
Signs of Romance: The Subtle Hints That Led to Confirmation
Long before their official relationship reveal, observant fans had noticed numerous signs pointing to a romantic connection between Westbeld and Miles. The evidence was subtle but consistent, building a compelling case for those paying close attention to their social media interactions and public appearances.
One of the most telling signs was their shared custody of Bean Miles-Westbeld, a cat whose hyphenated surname seemed to hint at the couple’s serious commitment to each other. The feline even has its own Instagram account, where both players regularly appear together as proud “parents.” Their first joint appearance on Bean’s Instagram page occurred in January, with a caption referring to them as “family” and “my mamas.”
Travel patterns also provided clues about their relationship status. The pair took romantic vacations together, including a trip to Aruba that was documented on their respective social media accounts. These getaways went beyond typical teammate bonding, featuring intimate moments and couple-like activities that suggested a deeper connection.
Social media interactions became increasingly telling as well. Miles was spotted courtside at Chicago Sky preseason games, specifically to support Westbeld as she began her WNBA career. When Westbeld posted photos of her professional tunnel outfits, Miles would respond with flirtatious comments like “don’t do this to me,” indicating a level of attraction that went beyond friendship.
The frequency of their appearances in each other’s Instagram posts also increased, with both players regularly featuring in photos taken by the other. These weren’t group shots with teammates but intimate, personal moments that suggested they were spending significant time together outside of basketball contexts.
The Hard Launch: Making It Instagram Official
The moment fans had been waiting for finally arrived when Miles decided to “hard launch” their relationship through her Instagram post. The term “hard launch” refers to the practice of publicly confirming a relationship after a period of subtle hints and soft reveals, and Miles executed it perfectly.
The 13-photo carousel included two particularly significant images of Westbeld, including a mirror selfie where strategic flash glare obscured some of the more intimate details while still making the romantic nature of their relationship clear. The simple caption “pov” allowed the photos to speak for themselves, requiring no elaborate explanation for what was already evident to those who had been following their journey.
The reaction from their former Notre Dame teammates was immediate and enthusiastic. Kylee Watson, who played alongside both women, commented with overwhelming excitement: “AND THE HARD LAUNCHHHH IM IN TEARSSSSSS 🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️😭😭😭😭😭😭😭”. This reaction from someone who knew them intimately during their college years served as additional confirmation of the relationship’s authenticity.
Westbeld’s response to the post was equally telling, commenting “beans mom posted u finally!” – a reference to their shared cat that also served as acknowledgment of the relationship reveal. The casual, comfortable nature of their interaction suggested this was a natural progression rather than a publicity stunt.
Professional Careers: Balancing Love and Basketball
The confirmation of their relationship comes at a pivotal time in both players’ careers, as they navigate the challenges of professional basketball while maintaining their personal connection. Westbeld was selected 16th by the Chicago Sky in the 2025 WNBA draft, marking the beginning of her professional career.
Her transition to the WNBA hasn’t been without challenges. After dealing with foot surgery that kept her out until January of her final college season, Westbeld has had to rebuild her confidence and playing rhythm at the professional level. She’s been open about the difficulties of adjusting to the WNBA, noting the learning curve involved in adapting to new terminology and elevated competition.
Miles, meanwhile, surprised the basketball world by choosing not to enter the WNBA draft despite being projected as a potential second pick. Instead, she entered the transfer portal and ultimately signed with TCU – ironically, the same team that eliminated Notre Dame from the 2025 NCAA tournament. This decision allows her to continue her college career while supporting Westbeld’s professional journey.
The couple’s ability to maintain their relationship despite being in different phases of their careers demonstrates their commitment to each other. Miles has been spotted supporting Westbeld at Chicago Sky games, showing that distance and different schedules won’t derail their connection.
