The Minnesota Lynx didn’t overthink it atop the 2026 WNBA Draft as they selected TCU Horned Frogs star point guard Olivia Miles with the No. 2 overall pick. Miles brings elite playmaking and a veteran-savvy play style to a roster already built to win now.
Minnesota finished with the league’s best record last season at 34-10. However, a semifinal exit and star forward Napheesa Collier’s injury creates a sense of injury. Miles gives the Lynx another offensive weapon to help keep things steady in her absence. But she can also be a dangerous third option when Collier returns along with sharpshooting guard Kayla McBride.
Elite Production Meets Immediate Fit for the Minnesota Lynx
Miles enters the WNBA off a career-defining season at TCU. She averaged 19.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.6 assists while shooting 48.1 percent from the field. She also became the first NCAA player to average at least 19 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and 1.5 steals in a single season.
More importantly, her resume goes beyond scoring. Miles recorded 12 career triple-doubles and became one of just four players in NCAA history to reach 2,000 points, 800 rebounds, and 800 assists. That level of versatility translates directly to the pro level.
Before TCU, she built her foundation at Notre Dame. Across four seasons, she averaged 14.2 points, 6.5 assists, and 6.0 rebounds while leading the ACC in assists each year. That consistency reinforces what Minnesota is getting: a proven floor general.
CBS Sports’ Erica Ayala summed up the fit clearly: “Olivia Miles is someone who is going to be able to facilitate things offensively, I think she can get you defensive stops as well. I think we look at where Minnesota is at, Miles is someone that can distribute the ball. We know Olivia Miles is able to get a handful of triple doubles and things of that nature so I think that likely what Cheryl Miller and company are thinking with going with Miles.”
Miles is your prototypical plug-and-play prospect, which is exactly what Minnesota needs to build off of their success from last season.
Olivia Miles is a Missing Piece for a Contender
The Minnesota Lynx already boasts a high-powered offense. The Lynx led the WNBA in scoring (86.1 PPG), field goal percentage (47.2 percent), and three-point percentage (37.8 percent) last season. Adding Miles doesn’t change the identity, it actually enhances it.
Pairing her with Kayla McBride and, eventually, a healthy Napheesa Collier creates a balanced offensive trio. Miles controls tempo, creates easy looks, and forces defenses into impossible decisions. McBride as a floor spacer. Miles as a distributor that is also good at getting to her spots in the mid-range. Then Collier as an interior presence that also has the ability to shoot from beyond the arc when the Lynx need it.
There’s also a timing element. Collier is expected to miss the early portion of the season while recovering from ankle surgery. As a result, Miles will likely step into a larger role immediately, accelerating her development. She will have the leadership of McBride as well Courtney Williams as mentor figures early on so she may not be thrusted into the fire right away. But with the Minnesota Lynx in need of another shot creator while Collier is out, Miles is sure to see a lot of action next season.
“Betting on Myself” Pays Off for Miles
Miles’ rise wasn’t guaranteed. Her decision to transfer to TCU raised questions at the time. Instead, it became the defining move of her career.
“This year has paid off for me in ways that I can’t even describe in that regard… I found my joy back, my love for the game, and I found a sisterhood and a family that I’ll have forever,” Miles told USA TODAY. “I’ve grown in my leadership. I’ve grown in my game, obviously. I’m having a career year across the board. But also I’ve grown in just trusting myself and knowing that I can play at a high level, and I didn’t quite think I was there last year or a ready enough to be a pro at that moment but now I feel ready.”
That belief showed throughout TCU’s Elite Eight run and ultimately pushed her into the top tier of this draft class. Now, she steps into one of the league’s best situations. The Minnesota Lynx are looking to get back to their championship winning ways and Olivia Miles might be the perfect piece to put them over the top.
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