After a busy few days for the Minnesota Lynx with numerous additions and departures in free agency, the additions continued Monday night with the 2026 WNBA Draft and a new wave of youth entering the organization.
With the Dallas Wings owning the top overall pick, Minnesota sat right behind them withe second overall pick in a draft stocked with talent (thanks for the pick, Chicago).
By the end of the night in New York City on Monday, the Lynx selected point guard Olivia Miles out of TCU with the No. 2 pick.
Let’s take a look at who these prospects are and how they could help Minnesota as they enter the WNBA.
Olivia Miles
After Azzi Fudd went No. 1 to the Dallas Wings, a player who was likely also very high on Minnesota’s draft board, the Lynx went with Olivia Miles out of TCU to help restock the guard group in Minnesota after Natisha Hiedeman left in free agency. Miles is the third second overall pick in Lynx history, joining Monica Wright (2010) and Diamond Miller (2023).
“I think I have the highest IQ as a guard. My feel for the game is unmatched,” Miles said to ESPN after being selected. “The way that I play and the flow I bring to the game, I feel like I fit really well (in Minnesota).”
Miles began her collegiate career with Notre Dame, playing the first four years with the Fighting Irish before transferring to TCU for her fifth and final season.
With Notre Dame, Miles took the floor in 101 games, averaging 14.2 points, 6.5 assists, 6.0 rebounds and 1.7 steals over 32.1 minutes per contest. When she transferred to TCU, Miles took it to another level by averaging 19.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 1.8 steals over 35.4 minutes per game.
Over her entire five-year college career, Miles finished with shooting marks of 47.2% from the field and 33.1% from three. In those five seasons, she averaged 15.6 points, 6.5 assists, 6.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals over 33.0 minutes in 139 games.
When it comes to Miles’ skillset, she is exactly what you would want in a floor general. Miles’ court vision and processing of the game is impressive, and has the ability to hurt you from anywhere on the floor offensively, notably from three.
One question mark with Miles’ game is her defense, something that could be of concern at the WNBA level. But, if there is one team that could help speed up the development of Miles and help her become a well-rounded player on both ends of the floor, it’s Minnesota. And there are plenty of similarities between Miles and former Lynx point guard Lindsay Whalen, who Miles now gets to learn under with Whalen as one of her new assistant coaches.
Miles will get a chance to make an immediate impact on the Lynx this season, adding to a somewhat new-look team after a busy free agency with plenty of players coming and going. Another wave of youth is entering Minnesota — and could end up being a key piece for years to come.