It's starting to seem like Olivia Miles is a different kind of rookie. For starters, her record alone suggests she's in a one-woman race for Rookie of the Year (and there are whispers of MVP being attached to her name): Miles is averaging 18.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.9 assists in 30.9 minutes so far this season, and it certainly seems like she's only getting started.
In addition to sheer talent, Miles is also absolutely fearless when she's on the court. That was on full display when the Minnesota Lynx met the Las Vegas Aces at home on Saturday, June 13. The Lynx didn't come away with the win, but Miles launched two ferocious attacks against A'ja Wilson—and landed the shot both times.
This begs the question: if four-time WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson can't stop Olivia Miles, who can?
It seemed that thought wasn't too different from something that went through the mind of Wilson's teammate Chennedy Carter during the game. Video shared from the fourth quarter shows Miles in motion as she drives to the basket and evades Wilson, who was prepared to fire off one of her legendary blocks. The camera then cut to Carter, who opened her mouth and turned her head toward her teammates in a kind of, "Did you see that?" look.
Olivia Miles is on track to have a record debut season
At this point, the idea that Miles is unstoppable should be considered. She's so far scored 242 points, a trend that could see her topping 800 by the time the season has finished. That would also mean she'd be breaking a record set by Caitlin Clark in 2024, when she scoredd 769 points in her own rookie season. Granted, Miles is playing four more games than Clark did that season, but the feat is still one that's worth noting (and it's entirely possible Miles will exceed that record by a number so large the four extra games are of little consequence).
That record is likely only one of many that Miles will destroy in the coming years. Like many talented rookies before her, she's finding a way to stake her own identity in the WNBA.
Clearly, Cheryl Reeve's decision to draft Miles as the No. 2 pick this year was one of the best she's made yet, and she's made a lot of excellent decisions. Miles' potential is starting to seem unlimited.
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