By: Jennifer Portee
Date: 4/14/2026
Minnesota didn’t just make a draft pick Monday night; they handed over the future. When Olivia Miles heard her name called at No. 2 overall, a new era began for a franchise built on legacy and now searching for its new leader.
The former Notre Dame/TCU star walked across that stage with calm confidence, the kind that comes from preparation, not hype. Miles has always played like she’s in control of time her pace deliberate, her reads surgical. From her first dribble, she brings that “floor general” aura that every team dreams of, and Minnesota knew exactly what they were getting.
“Olivia transforms the way we’ll play,” said Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve after the pick. “She sees the game like a conductor, not a participant. You give her the ball, and she makes the entire team move.”
For fans who’ve watched the Lynx evolve from the championship dynasty days led by Lindsay Whalen, Maya Moore, and Sylvia Fowles, Miles’ arrival feels both nostalgic and new. She represents that mix of old-school toughness wrapped in modern flair player who leads with creativity but never loses focus.
Her college career at Notre Dame/TCU showcased it all: double-digit assists, no-look passes, and the kind of calm under pressure that breathes life into clutch moments. Even after suffering an ACL injury that sidelined her junior season, Miles fought back with the intensity of someone who knew her story wasn’t done being written.
Now, she joins a young Lynx squad full of promise with Diamond Miller and Dorka Juhász as running mates and a system ready to move at her rhythm. Expect pace, swag, and plenty of transition highlights.
“I want to make Minnesota basketball fun again,” Miles said during her media session. “We’re gonna play fast, smart, and fearless. That’s what Lynx basketball should be.”
With that one statement, you could feel the tone of the night shift. The future officially has a new pilot, and her name is Olivia Miles.