Olivia Miles has quickly become the talk of the WNBA in her debut season. The Minnesota Lynx point guard, known for her signature goggles and afro, delivers nightly highlights with no-look passes, crossovers, and acrobatic layups. At 23 years old, she leads her team in scoring (19.0 points per game) and assists (5.7), shooting over 50% from the field. In a recent 99-83 win over the Los Angeles Sparks, Miles scored a season-high 31 points on 80% shooting in just 26 minutes.
Instant Impact
Miles has not only drawn comparisons to Caitlin Clark but has become indispensable for the Lynx, who have been without star Napheesa Collier since last September. Despite Collier's absence, Minnesota sits atop the league standings. Coach Cheryl Reeve, who drafted Miles second overall, praised her after a masterclass against Portland: "I’m not gonna sit here and say that we knew from day one that she’d be a top-three player in the league. But it’s like when we got Maya Moore – the perfect superstar, a humble superstar."
Style and Substance
At 5ft 10in, Miles is smaller than many WNBA point guards but stands out with her goggles and afro, earning the nickname "The Spectacle" from fans. Her game is inspired by Moore and Luka Dončić, blending creativity, rhythm, and composure. She threads passes like Magic Johnson, controls the half-court like Steve Nash, and finishes through contact like Jalen Brunson. When she outplayed top pick Azzi Fudd in a narrow win over Dallas, the debate over Dallas's draft decision intensified, though Miles called Fudd "a great player."
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham praised Miles on her podcast: "She just has the wiggle of a guy. She is good, good-good. Give this girl her flowers. She is putting the whole league on notice."
College Journey
A five-star recruit, Miles chose Notre Dame over Stanford and Connecticut, leading the Fighting Irish to three Sweet Sixteens in four years. She could have entered the 2025 WNBA draft as a top-three pick but delayed her pro career after an ACL injury in 2023 and a disappointing NCAA finish. "I just didn’t feel like myself," she told Sue Bird. The new pay-for-play era allowed her to transfer to TCU, where she posted career numbers, led the team to the 2026 Elite Eight, and earned from her name, image, and likeness. She also completed a master's degree in nonprofit administration at Notre Dame.
Perfect Timing
Miles's decision to stay in college paid off financially. Had she entered the 2025 draft, she might have been overshadowed by Paige Bueckers, Dominique Malonga, and Sonia Citron, earning around $80,000. Instead, a new seven-year collective bargaining agreement boosted starting salaries for top picks to $500,000 annually, with potential to triple. This raise was made possible by Collier, who helped launch the Unrivaled league as leverage in negotiations.
Room to Grow
Despite her brilliance, Miles has areas to improve, including defensive focus and emotional control. However, with Reeve's coaching and a veteran roster, these are seen as maturity issues rather than permanent flaws. The Lynx appear poised for another title run, and Collier's expected return after the All-Star break has fans excited. The pairing of the league's most selfless star with its most creative rookie is a thrilling prospect.
