"We put in the same work": Cavinder twins once asked fans to not undermine their "grind" as hoopers

The Cavinder twins may be frequently seen on social media showcasing their TikTok videos and partnerships with different brands, but during a segment for CBS Sports' "We Need to Talk," they reminded fans that they were basketball players first.

The twins have established their name, image, and likeness (NIL) while at Miami, and even became the first to receive NIL-related rulings in 2023 for how the Hurricanes facilitated their recruitment. However, they encountered no penalties since the NCAA has stated it does not intend to discipline athletes for NIL-related infractions.

They’ve successfully developed their brand off the court while continuing to compete for the Hurricanes. In an interview on Aug 5, 2022, Hanna said they remained focused on honing athletic abilities despite their social growth presence:

"People will constantly be like oh they're just TikTokers... but we put in the same work. We put in the same grind."

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Haley added:

People portray us as just social media influencers, which is totally fine, that's totally okay. But I was a basketball player first who worked hard and got her Division 1 scholarship."

What are the Cavinder twins doing in 2024?

Fast forward a few years from the CBS Sports segment, the Cavinder twins continue to rock social media while logging games on the hardwood for Miami.

Both Haley and Hanna reversed their decision to leave the Hurricanes at the end of the 2022-23 season, and have returned to lead the team in their fifth and final season of college ball.

Haley spoke to The Miami Hurricane about her decision to come back to Miami:

“Playing with Hanna and finishing my career off at Miami means so much. That’s why I chose to come back.”

While many still view the twins through the lens of their social media presence, they played a significant role in leading the Hurricanes to the Elite Eight of the 2023 NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history, and they aim to make a similar impact this season.

Haley's return to the Hurricanes is a major boost to their tournament hopes, especially after her standout season in 2023 during which she earned All-ACC Second-Team honors averaging 12.2 ppg and 4.8 rpg.

Lucky for Miami, the Cavinder twins come as a duo, and new Hurricanes head coach Tricia Cullop has acknowledged the positive impact that they have on the team:

“They’re the two hardest workers I’ve ever coached. They have a great mindset and they are so competitive.”

The Cavinder twins will return to the Watsco Center on Nov. 4 when they take on Stetson in their season opener.