The WNBA thought Olivia Miles would be good. She became a phenomenon. | Exclusive - USA Today

WNBA Rookie of the Year Olivia Miles has heard the nicknames.

The Minnesota Lynx point guard, who grew up a multi-sport athlete, was dubbed "Magic Miles" long before she made it to the league. WNBA Hall of Famer Cheryl Miller calls her "The Show". Miller said Miles has met the moment, one season into her pro career, and found "the perfect stage" to display her talent. Then there's "The Spectacle," which has a double meaning — showcasing her elite skills and signature goggles.

Miles' trademark look — flowing fro and googles — has gotten so much attention during her rookie season its been turned into a WNBA logo. Her specs have also inspired conspiracy theories, which the budding superstar recently shared with USA TODAY Sports.

"Everyone likes to joke around and (say) there’s like ChatGPT or something in the goggles, which is funny,” the Minnesota Lynx guard said while promoting a partnership with GlassesUSA.com. “It’s really just my experience and then feel for the game.

"I’ve just been doing it for so long, so you just kind of get better at it as time goes (by). Soccer has helped me a lot too, with just the anticipation — like reading windows, delivering the ball where it needs to be, whether that’s scoring or passing.”

The 23-year-old has been wearing glasses since first grade. The googles were originally for soccer. She didn't start playing basketball until she was about 10 years old. In the fourth grade, Miles leaned into the sport and by her senior season, Miles was helping Blair Academy in New Jersey win a state championship. In 2021, she enrolled early at Notre Dame and played six games in her first season.

Miles spent three more seasons with the Irish, leading them to the Sweet 16 each spring before forgoing the 2025 WNBA Draft and transferring to TCU for her final year of eligibility. During her last season, Miles helped the Horned Frogs get to the Elite Eight for the second straight year. After averaging career-high 19.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 1.8 steals in her final year, Miles catapulted to the top of the 2026 draft.

Minnesota drafted her No. 2 overall, behind UConn's Azzi Fudd. The choice ended weeks of speculation about where Miles would fall. Looking back on the decision to draft Miles, Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve said she believed there were two players with generational skills ― Fudd and Miles ― but two months into the season, she's convinced of even more.

"I would now classify (Miles) as a generational talent, " Reeve said.

"In the scouting process, when you can repeat something over and over and over again and (Miles) has been doing so for a long time," Reeve added. "It’s just a matter of can you figure out the pro game in terms of pace and physicality and all the stuff that goes with it, and that’s the part you don’t know … we thought for sure she’d be a really good backup point guard.”

If the WNBA was supposed to be an adjustment, no one told Miles. She opened her rookie season with 15 straight games of double-figure scoring, including five games with 20 points or more. She is adding six assists and 4.7 rebounds.

“The league is honestly a bit easier than college because first, you’re playing with better players, and so teams can’t really help off," Miles told USA TODAY. "And then, obviously, with different rules, such as the defensive three seconds, it provides a lot more space.

"It favors a player like me because I love to get downhill and then make quick decisions. So that’s kind of why it’s been so easy for me in the program, because in college, you couldn’t really just clog the lane and sit in there and play off people. And I think the pro game really complements my style of play, so it’s a seamless transition.”

Just days after being drafted, she was already making reads and settling into the pro game in pickup games and practice. Her skills caught the attention of 13-year veteran Kayla McBride. McBride described her new teammate as a "hooper for sure" and praised her for the energy she brought to Minnesota. The Lynx guard called it a "different level."

Another Minnesota teammate, Courtney Williams, who has been in the league for 11 years, also walked away impressed. In April, Williams described Miles as a "problem" and "cold." Williams, who handled Minnesota's point guard duties the season before, was almost giddy about Miles' arrival, which allowed her to shift back to being a shooting guard.

 "I said, 'Look, let me move out your way. Let me move out your way and move to the (shooting guard position), and let you do what you do best,'" Williams said. “Happy to have her. Happy to be back at my natural position, and she out here killing it, man. Like I said, this little joker here is like a baby Chelsea Gray. Like she gonna be cold, she gonna be so cold. I’m excited to just be a part of the journey.”

In her first game in a Lynx uniform, Miles nearly had a double-double. She finished with 21 points, eight assists, three rebounds and two steals, becoming the fifth player in WNBA history to record 20-plus points and 5-plus assists in their debut — joining Candace Parker, Tonya Edwards, Dawn Staley and Cynthia Cooper.

She was decisive, quick and confident, something many first-year players struggle with early. Miles didn't hesitate to get downhill, let it fly from the 3-point range or find her teammates for open looks. Her ability to make light work of her adversaries caught the attention of many around the league. Teams have to gameplan for Miles, who is demonstrative when the the defense fails to make a stop.

Unleash a sweet dime? She will finish with chest pump. Make a deep 3? Miles sarcastically looks at her hand in disbelief, then wags three fingers. Drive to the basket and end with a tough finish? The trash talk begins before the ball bounces on the court.

“Look, I have so much respect for Olivia Miles. She’s an amazing player. ... I know that’s just her being competitive. I’m a competitor. I mean, she got two back-to-back steals on me. So go for it," Portland Fire guard Sarah Ashlee Barker said in June. "But she’s an amazing player. She can score at three levels. She can defend. She can do everything. Y’all know the way she passes the ball. So in those moments, you’ve just got to laugh it off."

Once Miles got going, it didn't really matter who was on the other side. Her quick ascension from good to great surprised even her coaches. Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve revealed she didn't have to guide Miles much, especially on her passing. She doesn't coach her passing at all, opting to let Miles use her instincts. Reeves called it a "generational gift."

As Miles and Minnesota marched towards the All-Star break, securing the league's best record, the chatter about the former TCU guard was getting louder. Miles became the fastest player to 350-plus points and 100 assists, doing it 19 games. In July, Miles made it to 500 points and 150 assists, in 26 games — faster than Paige Bueckers (28 games) and Caitlin Clark (29 games).

The same month, Miles played in her first All-Star game as the only rookie All-Star starter. Miles was grateful for the honor, but said she was focused on winning games. That's what mattered most to her. Ahead of the game, eight-time All-Star and reigning MVP A'ja Wilson showered Miles in praise.

"You're a star. For real. You're a star. You're gonna have a really, really good career in this league, not only because of your game, of course, but the way that you carry yourself off the court," Wilson said. "I love how unapologetic you are, and I think that's always gonna (get you) far in life.

"Honestly, your skill and your vision ― with me playing with "The Point Gawd" (Chelsea Gray) ― it's a lot of similarities there, and I know you guys have heard that, but it's real. And that doesn't come by often so, as you continue to grow, as you continue to be in this league, (you're going) to find even more ways to still get to your spots and crush it."

All-Star wasn't the only accomplishment for Miles in 2026. She swept the Rookie of the Month awards, winning it four consecutive times. Miles finished second behind Clark (337) for the most assists for a rookie (239) and broke Clark's rookie scoring record (769 points) set in 2024, with 790 points in 40 games. She also broke Clark's rookie record for 3-pointers in a single game. The Minnesota star now owns the record for most 20-point games by a rookie (22), surpassing another Lynx legend, Seimone Augustus, and is fourth all-time in points per game among rookies (19.75).

Miles has won Rookie of the Year and is in the conversation for MVP conversations. Hall of Famer Candace Parker is the only player to win both awards in the same season.

“The things that she is doing, no one else is doing, especially as a rookie — especially as a rookie point guard. That is the hardest position to come in and be successful at Year 1, and she’s excelling,” Lynx forward Napheesa Collier said. “She’s so fun to watch (with) the way she can finish, the attention she’s getting on defense from the other team’s defense already. Her ability to impact the game right now, I think, is just unmatched right now, so she’s our MVP.”

Miles said she tries to block out the noise by listening to a group affectionately called "my council." She confides in them to manage the highs, lows and everything in between. According to Miles, they advise her, hold her accountable and cheer her on.

She walks, journals and meditates — and has a mental coach — to stay grounded. Miles said having more eyes on women’s sports means a lot of opinions; so it’s so easy to get caught up in that. Her teammates and coach have helped her to avoid it.

"I have a great environment, and I got so blessed to be in Minnesota, where there’s support and care all around me. I have the best vets who allow me to be me, but also give me wisdom and do it with intention and a care that I really haven’t experienced before," Miles said. "And it’s allowed me to feel this freedom and love and gratitude for the game and not really (be) stressed.

“I’m forever indebted to them and the way they’ve allowed me to just grow, and it makes me emotional because not many people get it, and it’s so rare. ... So, I’m grateful."

The regular-season portion of Miles' rookie is over. Minnesota finished with the best record in the league (33-11) and secured the No. 1 seed in the playoffs. The Lynx lost Game 1 in the first round of the playoff to the No. 8 seed Liberty. They play Game 2, a knockout game for the Lynx, at Barclays Center on Tuesday.

The teams played in the Finals in 2024. It ended in heartbreak for the Lynx. New York won the series, 3-2, in a decisive Game 5 that went into overtime. The franchise, which previously won four titles (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017), is still searching for for its fifth championship. Miles hopes to help them do it.

“Learning and having fun for one and then number two is just winning at the highest level with this group. That would be the cherry on top," Miles said.

"(You go through) all the trials (and) tribulations of the season, and then you get to the end, and you get to kind of hoist that trophy. That would be really, really special for this group. If I learn and grow every day, it’s also a success for me as well. So it’s a win-win for sure.”

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