What Happened to Olivia Rose Miles?
Olivia Miles is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Lynx of the WNBA, drafted second overall in the 2026 WNBA Draft. Her collegiate career at Notre Dame was marked by exceptional play and a significant knee injury, leading to a strategic transfer to TCU for her final year of eligibility, where she further elevated her draft stock.
Quick Answer
Olivia Miles is a professional basketball player, currently with the Minnesota Lynx, who selected her as the second overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft on April 13, 2026. After a successful but injury-interrupted career at Notre Dame, she made a pivotal decision to transfer to TCU for the 2025-2026 season, foregoing the 2025 WNBA Draft. This move allowed her to recover fully from an ACL injury, become the Big 12 Player of the Year, lead TCU to an Elite Eight appearance, and ultimately solidify her status as a top WNBA prospect.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Early Enrollment at Notre Dame
Olivia Miles opted to enroll early at Notre Dame, joining the Fighting Irish women's basketball team.
NCAA Tournament Triple-Double Debut
As a freshman, Miles made NCAA Tournament history by recording a triple-double (12 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists) in her debut against UMass.
Most Triple-Doubles in Notre Dame History
Miles recorded her third career triple-double against Merrimack, surpassing Skylar Diggins and Jackie Young for the most in Notre Dame women's basketball history.
Season-Ending ACL Injury
Miles suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her right knee during the regular season finale against Louisville, ending her sophomore season prematurely.
Redshirt Season for Injury Recovery
Miles sat out the entire 2023-24 college basketball season to focus on rehabilitating her knee injury.
Return to Play for Notre Dame
After a lengthy recovery, Miles returned to the court for Notre Dame at the start of the 2024-25 season.
Enters Transfer Portal, Forgoes 2025 WNBA Draft
Miles announced her decision to enter the transfer portal and forgo the 2025 WNBA Draft, where she was projected as a top-two pick.
Commits to TCU
Olivia Miles announced her transfer to TCU for her final year of collegiate eligibility.
Signed by Unrivaled League
Miles was signed by Unrivaled, a 3x3 basketball league, as part of 'The Future is Unrivaled Class of 2025' through NIL deals.
FIBA Women's AmeriCup Gold Medal
Miles played for the United States national team at the 2025 FIBA Women's AmeriCup, helping her team win the gold medal and leading the tournament in assists.
Big 12 Player of the Year at TCU
In her final collegiate season at TCU, Miles averaged a career-high 19.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.6 assists, leading the NCAA in triple-doubles (6) and earning Big 12 Player of the Year honors.
Leads TCU to Elite Eight
Miles led the TCU Horned Frogs to the program's first-ever Elite Eight appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
Drafted by Minnesota Lynx (2nd Overall)
Olivia Miles was selected as the second overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft by the Minnesota Lynx.
Prepares for WNBA Rookie Season
Miles is actively participating in preseason activities with the Minnesota Lynx, preparing for her rookie WNBA season, which is set to tip off on May 10, 2026.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Olivia Rose Miles, born on January 29, 2003, quickly established herself as a prodigious talent in women's basketball. She enrolled early at Notre Dame, joining the team in January 2021, and made an immediate impact, becoming the first freshman in NCAA Tournament history (men's or women's) to record a triple-double in her debut in 2022. Throughout her freshman and sophomore years, Miles consistently showcased her all-around game, earning First-Team All-ACC honors in both 2022 and 2023, and becoming an AP All-America Second Team selection in 2023.
A significant turning point in Miles's career occurred in February 2023 when she suffered a season-ending torn ACL injury during Notre Dame's regular season finale against Louisville. This injury forced her to miss the remainder of the 2022-23 postseason and the entire 2023-24 season, focusing on a rigorous rehabilitation process. Her recovery was a testament to her mental and physical fortitude, as she aimed to return stronger.
In a bold and widely discussed move, Miles decided to forgo the 2025 WNBA Draft, where she was projected as a top-two pick, and instead entered the transfer portal on March 31, 2025. On April 8, 2025, she announced her commitment to TCU for her final year of collegiate eligibility. This decision was influenced by several factors, including the opportunity to be the undisputed centerpiece of a team, further develop her game, and potentially benefit from a new WNBA collective bargaining agreement in 2026 that could lead to higher rookie contracts.
Her season at TCU (2025-2026) proved to be a resounding success. Miles averaged a career-high 19.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game, leading the nation in triple-doubles with six. She was named the Big 12 Player of the Year and led the Horned Frogs to the conference's regular-season title and the program's first-ever Elite Eight appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Her dominant performance vindicated her decision to delay the WNBA draft, as she surged to become a consensus top prospect.
On April 13, 2026, Olivia Miles was selected as the second overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft by the Minnesota Lynx. This marked a significant milestone in her career, joining an elite roster and preparing for her rookie season. As of May 15, 2026, Miles is actively participating in preseason activities with the Lynx, demonstrating her versatility and potential to translate her college success to the professional level. She is expected to be a strong contender for the Rookie of the Year award.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Olivia Rose Miles made different choices?