Lynx’s Olivia Miles named WNBA Rookie of the Month
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Rookie guard Olivia Miles continues to impress Minnesota Lynx fans.
On draft night, she won hearts when she revealed the names of her parents and brother embroidered into her jacket. She kept fans’ attention scoring double figures in all nine games to start the season. It ties for the longest streak in franchise history by a rookie.
Now, the latest in her growing list of accomplishments is being named Kia WNBA Rookie of the Month. This makes it the seventh monthly award in Lynx franchise history. Former recipients include Napheesa Collier, Crystal Dangerfield, Diamond Miller and Maya Moore.
The No. 2 overall draft pick led all rookies across the league in scoring throughout May with 15.4 points per game. Miles ranks sixth in the WNBA in assists, eighth in steals and 18th in points per contest.
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The Phillipsburg, N.J. native comes from Texas Christian University where she led the Horned Frogs to the NCAA Elite Eight.
Coming to the Lynx, she mentioned the team’s championship caliber.
“This staff is full of just championship culture and championship level,” she said. “It’s special, I think, to have the opportunity to look up to such amazing, strong women who have truly seen it all. I can't wait again to be a sponge and soak up all of their information.”
The guard has continued to prove her strength to Minnesota since she was the first rookie guard to start an opener for the Lynx since Monica Wright in 2010. Now, nearly a dozen pro-games under her belt, and she has helped lead Minnesota to a league-best 6-2 record so far this season.
The chemistry between the rookie and her teammates has grown, with an average of 6.3 assists, and a high of 10 assists during the Lynx’s victory against Mercury on Monday.
Outside of play, she remains close to her fellow Lynx, seen joking with veteran guard Courtney Williams.
“Some of the things she sees, man, we don't even see,” Williams said with a chuckle during a post-game press conference with Miles after Monday’s game. “The way she sees the game is, again, I say it all the time, it's just something you really can't teach. She just makes everybody’s life easier, especially mine.”
The Lynx begins a three-game homestand on Thursday against Golden State.
