Most of the time, there’s an adjustment period whenever a rookie joins a WNBA team.
An adjustment for the rookie themself in learning and growing as they enter the league for the first time. But also an adjustment for everyone else already on the roster, notably veteran players. It’s not uncommon for veteran players to not be receptive to rookies, especially when that rookie is at their same position.
But that hasn’t been the case for the Minnesota Lynx in adding their No. 2 draft pick, Olivia Miles, to the team and to the starting lineup right out of the gate. In fact, the veterans — led by fellow guard Courtney Williams — have welcomed the rookie with open arms.
Welcoming the Rook
Ahead of the 2026 WNBA Draft, many thought (the author of this story is guilty as charged) that Lynx wouldn’t address point guard with Williams already holding down that spot in the starting lineup in Minnesota.
However, the Lynx did just that, drafting a true point guard when they selected Miles second overall out of TCU.
Instead of taking that as a sign of being pushed out of her spot, Williams welcomed the opportunity with open arms. If the Lynx wanted her to stay at point guard, she was fine with that. If they wanted her to move to more of an off-ball guard spot to make room for Miles as floor general, she would do so.
“I don’t got no problem getting off the ball, I’m a (shooting guard),” Williams said. “I love scoring, so now I can get back to my bread and butter. But the little things I did learn being at that point guard position and being able to be in Liv’s ear a bit more. … I think it will just help us both out.”
The veteran guard spent most of her career as a shooting guard before moving to point guard the last three seasons, two of which occurred in Minnesota. But now with Miles, Williams is loving being able to move back to her more natural position, adding it has allowed her to playing more freely.
Williams hasn’t only made room for Miles, but she has already been one of her biggest supporters and mentors along the way. And that will only help the rookie as she continues her transition to the WNBA.
“To have the support from my teammates and essentially my right-hand man on the court (in Williams), the 1-2 punch, it means everything to have her belief in me and trust to run (point guard),” Miles said. “It is not easy, she knows that. It’s a big responsibility. She gave it to me with open arms and is excited to be on the receiving end of passes instead of having to bring it up 94 feet with pressure every time. I’m just excited to help our team in any way I can.”
Strong Start for Miles
Not only has Miles transitioned well into the WNBA in four games, she is off to a start that we haven’t seen often throughout league history.
Over the first four games of the season, Miles has averaged 15.5 points, 5.8 assists, 4.3 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks over 31.4 minutes while shooting 47.8% from the field.
“She is being a very, very confident player. She’s really stepped onto the court knowing, not only that she belongs, but what her impact can be on our franchise,” Cheryl Reeve said. “She’s been a sponge. I really appreciate her curiosity. I didn’t think anybody would have Courtney (Williams) topped with curiosity, but Liv does.”
Through three games, Miles became the third player in league history with at least 10 points and five assists in each of the first three career games, joining WNBA legends Candace Parker and Sue Bird.
“She a little killer,” said Williams, who even called the rookie a ‘Baby Chelsea Gray’. “She’s out here killing it, man. … I’m just excited to be a part of the journey.”
Miles appears comfortable, confident and in control whenever she is on the court. Though we are less than a handful of games into the regular season, she appears to beyond her years and is hitting the ground running — doing so right alongside Williams.
“The biggest transition for me is the pace and physicality, learning things really quickly and learning things at a high level,” Miles said. “The weirdest challenge for me is, being a point guard, it is your job to initiate and organize, and I’m telling 12- and 13-year vets where to be as a player who is (new) to the league. It’s been interesting trying to find my confidence and my conviction in what I’m doing.
“But we have great vets who are very open-minded and so knowledgable of the game that have taken me in and we have the same level of respect for each other.”
Fitting Well Together
It’s safe to say nobody expected Miles to look quite as good as she has already. But also just how good both her and Williams have fit together in the Lynx starting lineup.
Through four games, four Lynx players are averaging 15 or more points — two of them being Miles and Williams.
With Miles leading the team in assists and sitting fourth in scoring, Williams has been enjoying a nice start to the year as well in her new (old?) position. Williams has averaged 15.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.8 steals over 30.8 minutes while shooting 45% from the field and 38.9% from three.
“I said ‘let me move out your way. Let me move out your way and move to (shooting guard) and let you do what you do best’,” Williams said of Miles and her taking over at point guard. “I’m happy to have her and happy to be back at my natural position.”
On and off the court, the new backcourt duo in Minnesota has meshed well. And their relationship is boiling over to the court.
Miles is allowing Williams to play freely, focus on playmaking and not overthink things as she had to do as a point guard. Williams, in return, has moved aside to let Miles take things over in leading the offense, empowering the rookie while mentoring her as she goes through it for the first time.
So far, things have worked out exactly how Minnesota envisioned it would. The chemistry is building fast with this new-look guard group, and it is just the beginning for the rookie and the vet.
“She’s making my life easier,” Williams said. “Getting off the ball, taking that pressure off of me. I’m definitely excited to have the young bull here.”