Miles: A Paige Bueckers Duo Would ‘Light Up The League’

Olivia Miles Poised for Top WNBA Draft Pick, Dreams of Dynamic Duo

Olivia Miles is on the cusp of a WNBA career, with all signs pointing to her being the number one overall pick in tonight’s WNBA Draft. The event kicks off at 7:00 p.m. Eastern from New York, airing on ESPN. Miles, a standout player, spent four years at Notre Dame before transferring to TCU for a stellar final season. There, she averaged an impressive 19.6 points per game and was a key player in the Horned Frogs’ run to the Elite Eight.

A Season of Growth and Resilience

Miles joined SportsCenter AM just 12 hours before the draft, expressing a mix of excitement and gratitude. “I’m just excited, overwhelmed with gratitude to have the opportunity to be here,” she shared. The WNBA has already provided her with incredible experiences, and she feels thankful to be a part of it all. Despite the anticipation, Miles won’t have much downtime, with a packed schedule including a visit to the Empire State Building before getting ready for the draft night festivities.

Looking back at her decision to return for another year after being projected as a top pick last year, Miles explained her thought process. “I just got more confident,” she said. “I worked a lot in the off season, especially coming off of a big injury. It just gave me enough time to really lock in on myself and really commit to myself.” This dedication paid off, leading to what she called a “career year across the board.” She’s grateful for that extra year to develop before making the jump to professional basketball.

Unrivaled League and Future Teammate Dreams

Miles also discussed her decision to sign with the Unrivaled league. She sees it as an incredible, rapidly growing league with a different style of play that she’s excited to experience. “Ultimately, I think my main goal was just to stay in the States and to play high-level basketball,” Miles stated. The opportunity to connect with WNBA players in the offseason, play three-on-three basketball in Miami, and have fun while continuing to hoop were major draws.

The prospect of teaming up with Paige Bueckers, should Miles go first overall and Bueckers join the Dallas Wings, has Miles buzzing with excitement. She believes their games would create one of the most dynamic backcourts in the league. “I’m naturally a pass-first guard, so I want to get her the ball in places where she’s successful,” Miles explained. “And I think it’d just be an incredible partnership. If I got to play with Paige, I feel like we’d light the league on fire.” Her own stats back up her pass-first mentality, averaging around seven assists per game alongside her nearly 20 points, showing she truly fills up the stat sheet.

Overcoming Adversity: The ACL Comeback

Miles bravely reflected on her recovery from a torn ACL in February 2023, an injury that sidelined her for the entire 2023-2024 season. If she could speak to her past self during that grueling rehab process, she would offer words of encouragement. “I would tell her to keep going,” Miles said. “There were moments where I thought my world was going to come crumbling down.” She emphasized the importance of patience and staying present during the long and difficult recovery.

“You have to be patient. You have to be present in the moment,” she advised. “So, just tell her to relax. It’s going to be okay. And really take the time and don’t rush your recovery. You’ll you’ll be just fine in the end.” Her resilience and determination are clear, proving that even the toughest challenges can lead to a stronger comeback. Fans can catch Miles tonight in the WNBA Draft, likely as the first overall pick, and perhaps soon after dominating the league alongside Bueckers.

Source: Olivia Miles on a potential Paige Bueckers duo: We’d light the league ON FIRE 🔥| SportsCenter (YouTube)