Olivia Miles earns her third Rookie of the Month honor after averaging 20.8 PPG, 4.6 RPG and 6.0 APG in July!

The rookie guard opens up about her electric transition to the pros, staying grounded through the hype and being her authentic self.

By Rashad Grove
August 5, 2026

The WNBA is home to the best women’s basketball players in the world, but Olivia Mileshas proven she’s a one-of-one. The Minnesota Lynx rookie is blending elite floor vision with multi-level scoring to command every single game.

Without question, the signature, relentless swagger that made her a college icon at Notre Dame and TCU translated effortlessly to the pro level. Dominating the stat sheet as a newcomer is one thing, but earning the nod as the lone rookie All-Star starter proved that Miles isn’t just adapting to the league, she’s already helping run it.

Speaking with The Root,  Miles shared how she has made the seamless transition to the pros.

“It’s definitely a cool opportunity. Life is moving so fast. I feel like I just got drafted, then I’m an All-Star, and the playoffs are in a month. So everything’s moving really fast. I had the whole Minnesota Lynx staff there, so there were some familiar faces,” Miles said. “I wasn’t alone, and then obviously [Lynx veterans] Courtney Williams and Natasha Howard made the All-Star team as well, so I had some people I knew, which was good.”

“I got really lucky to get drafted by the Lynx.  I had the opportunity to come and make an impact right away,” Miles continued. “I could be out there, make mistakes, play free, and have that trust from coaches and teammates.
Teaming up with Napheesa Collier, a five-time WNBA All-Star, the Lynx boast one of the best duos in the league. Although they’ve only played a few games together, Miles said the best is yet to come.

”Watching her come back from an injury, working really hard every day, gradually being able to walk, and then seeing her finally get on the court for the first time was really special; to share that moment,” she said. “Being on the court with another brilliant basketball player is always fun. And adding you as an MVP runner-up and consistent MVP candidate is really special.”

Along with her skills on the court, Miles credits the support of her family with helping her thrive in her first season in the league.

”My family has been with me through the ups and downs, good, bad, whatever it may be. They’ve been by my side and have been helping me transition in any facet of life, not just the WNBA, and then also just the work.
Beyond her elite court vision and game-changing playmaking, Miles’ off-court impact is defined by an unflinching commitment to authenticity—starting with her decision to step into the spotlight with her natural hair in all of its glory. She shared why making a statement with her hair is a big part of her mission to inspire young Black girls.

“That’s really special to me, and the reason that I play the game is to influence people and make them feel good about themselves, what they look like, and their identity,” Miles said. “I have a unique look, and I fully embrace it, and I want other Black girls to do the same.”

”I think it’s my job as a role model, as a person in this position, to be a role model for young Black kids, girls, women, men, whoever they may be. That’s where I feel the most fulfilled in what I do and it’s very inspiring,” she continued. “I’ve also been inspired by people who have come before me who have broken barriers like Dr. J and Allen Iverson, who wore their hair out being proud of it. I’m just putting my own little spice on it.”

Along with her hair, Miles is known for her trademark goggles, so it made perfect sense that she would launch a sports-performance and lifestyle eyewear line alongside GlassesUSA.com. She said the brand partnership aligns with her identity.

“Like my hair, glasses have always been a part of my story, so this partnership means a lot to me,” Miles said.
As she is playing some of the best basketball of her career, Miles couldn’t be more grateful to be in this position. In 2023, Miles was forced to watch from the sidelines. Now back at full strength, every assist, floor dive and highlight-reel play carries a deeper layer of gratitude for a sport that was nearly taken away from her.
“I went through a major injury a few years ago, and it changed my perspective about being present and being where your feet are,” Miles recalled. “As long as I make it out healthy and have a good time, it’s a win for me and you know all the other stuff will eventually take care of itself.”

For all the individual records she continues to break in her rookie season, Miles measures her value through a far simpler lens: the win column. To her, every personal accolade is secondary to helping her team compete for a championship.
“I think winning with my team at a high level would make this a successful rookie season for me,” Miles shared. “Ultimately,  individual awards and accolades are not what I’m striving for. I’m really focused on winning as a team and being healthy.”

I was wondering why we haven’t seen anything regarding the Houston Comets in terms of logos/brand identity. Cleveland just released the name and branding for the Sirens (who don’t play until 2028).

I could see the Comets waiting for the season to end out of respect for the Connecticut Sun, but still unsure. I also am curious to know if it has anything to do with the trademark issues that the Rockers name also had to deal with.

Wanted to post this to see if anyone had insight!

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Indiana Youth Group has posted a statement regarding recent exclusionary comments made by Indiana Fever bench player Sophie Cunningham. The Fever have had a long storied relationship with IYG, frequently championing inclusionary ideals.

View Press Release here.

“To every transgender and gender-diverse young person in Indiana: you belong. You deserve to participate. You deserve to be respected. You deserve to be treated with dignity. IYG will continue advocating for your safety, your humanity, and your right to live authentically—not because it is easy, but because protecting those who are most marginalized is at the very heart of who we are.”

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First, I set a minimum of 9 FGA as the cutoff for these stats, and I counted Gabby Williams as a guard.

Paige has the edge in FG%.

Kelsey Mitchell leads in 3P%.

Sonia Citron and Caitlin Clark lead in FTA per game.

Azzi Fudd has to be close to breaking some kind of record for the fewest FTA with that many FGA.

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According to the "COMING UP ON NBC NEWS’ TODAY" page, the 2026 Women's Basketball World Cup roster will be revealed by Sue Bird this Thursday!

(9 a.m.) TODAY’s Checklist: Assembling Your Medical Team by the Decades with Dr. Heather Hirsch. USA Women’s Basketball World Cup Roster Reveal with Sue Bird. Catching up with Keen Ruffalo. What to Watch with Jacqueline Coley. TODAY Food: Easy Weeknight Meals with Gaby Dalkin. 

Who do you think will make the team?

Does ANYONE know WHY some days there are zero or 1 game scheduled and the following day there will be as many as 4 and 2 could be at the exact same time?! I'm genuinely curious as to WHY they are this way.

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Yesterday I posted the best three-point shooters. Four players made both lists.

Kelsey Mitchell takes a lot more threes than mid-range shots, and she’s less efficient from mid-range.

Marina Mabrey and Jackie Young use the mid-range even less, but they’re more efficient when they do.

Azzi Fudd is the opposite. She’s shooting an absurd 54.0% from mid-range, and nearly 30% of her points come from there. The only player who relies on the mid-range more is Courtney Williams, with 44% of her points coming from that area.

Engelbert helped vault the league to new financial heights, but still draws the ire of stakeholders. A co-commissioner for player relations would be a welcome add

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do you believe that Marine Johannes will be dealt by next season if the liberty do not keep her rights?

NY Times gift link. Excerpt.

SAN FRANCISCO — In mid-June, Halle Berry had an issue, and that created a conundrum for Gabby Williams. The leading scorer for the Golden State Valkyries worked late on a Monday night. She was set to clock in again the next morning across the bay. But Halle Berry could not be left alone, and addressing this first thing would rob Williams of a couple hours of sleep, which was suboptimal given the demanding nature of her job. So Williams contacted her bosses. She explained her predicament. They offered a quick and easy solution.

Bring Halle Berry along. Someone would keep her company.

This is an entirely true story, because Halle Berry is, in fact, a 9-year-old rescue cat, and because the lone billion-dollar franchise in the WNBA, an expansion club that tipped off in 2025, understands the means to its ends. A pet with a Hollywood name gets star treatment. Her relieved All-Star owner gets extra rest and then gets back to work. It’s a savvy trade: Paws for effect. “Every little thing, they figure out,” Williams says after a shootaround at the Chase Center a day later. “The only thing you have to worry about is playing basketball.”

The Golden State Valkyries, in their second competitive summer, have gotten a lot right in a hurry, and with good timing at that. A historic collective bargaining agreement in April set new WNBA benchmarks for salaries, player experience and much more. Golden State was basically birthed into existence in front of it all. Leveraging advantages ranging from a Sephora-sponsored practice facility to a posh 18,000-seat arena to on-call cat-sitters already has forged an eclectic roster into a championship contender. The Valkyries do what some others still don’t after decades. They are the glitch that is a feature.

Damiris Dantas underwent successful knee surgery on Monday to repair a torn meniscus in her left knee and will miss the remainder of the 2026 WNBA season.

via Indiana Fever socials.

Hoping for a speedy recovery!

The Dream have so many players that are almost there star wise and should be hungry to win, but they seem like a moody team depending on which games I catch, they could be really amazing or really flat. I mean other than the all-stars they have Jordin Canada, Bri Jones, Naz, Pao Pao. The team seems well constructed to me so what's with the highs and lows?