Miles, Suarez Shine on Draft Night’s Orange Carpet

Miles, Suarez Shine on Draft Night’s Orange Carpet

The WNBA Draft is more than just names being called; it’s a celebration of dreams, hard work, and dazzling style. On this special night, future stars Olivia Miles and Marta Suarez walked the orange carpet, sharing their excitement and unique fashion choices before the big moment.

A Night of Dreams and Designer Duds

Joining the WNBA on ESPN’s orange carpet special, teammates Olivia Miles and Marta Suarez radiated joy. “I’m honored. I’m grateful. I’m excited. I feel it all,” said Marta, leaning on Olivia for support. Olivia added, “I can’t believe I’m here. The opportunity is so incredible.” The growth of the WNBA Draft event itself was not lost on them, with Olivia noting, “I’m just so grateful.”

The Number One Pick Buzz

Whispers of Olivia Miles potentially being the number one overall pick filled the air. When asked about it, Olivia kept her cool. “It’s not anything that I can control, so I’m not trying to hyperfixate on it,” she explained. “It’s definitely a beautiful honor, but I truly will be happy wherever I’m at. Obviously, number one would be nice, but I know I’m worthy either way.” Marta playfully jumped in to hype her teammate, jokingly suggesting Olivia should be picked first.

Fashion Forward: Diamonds, McQueen, and Hand-Painted Bags

The players didn’t just bring their A-game to the draft; they brought it to the fashion scene too. Olivia Miles stunned in Alexander McQueen glasses. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime event. I needed the details,” she said, pointing out the real diamonds on her fingers and ears. Marta Suarez showcased her artistic talent by hand-painting her own bag. “I actually did it while I was getting my makeup done today,” she revealed, holding up the custom piece. She even sent her cousin to Times Square to find the perfect purse to match. The back of her bag featured a special touch: “The class of 2026 signing it.”

Navigating NIL and Building on a Legacy

Both players have been part of a significant shift in college sports with the introduction of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities. They discussed how they handled the pressure of reaching this professional moment in a changing landscape. “We had great pioneers before us who allowed us to do so in the same in the WNBA,” Olivia shared. “We were just talking with the PA and they discussed everything that they’ve done to get us to this point. So it’s only our responsibility to carry it forward. We have a great foundation to do so.” Marta agreed, emphasizing the importance of building on that foundation.

The Coach Campbell Effect at TCU

The duo also spoke about the impact of Coach Campbell at TCU, a program often nicknamed “Transfer Capital University” due to its success in attracting talented players. “He’s given me a tremendous opportunity,” Marta said about Coach Campbell. “He watches a lot of film and he gets to know people. He has a great eye for intention and love. He saw our fierceness. He saw our willingness and then he will just pour onto you.” Olivia added that the coach “let me be me, and that’s truly what I needed for this one last year before I went pro. Got my confidence, my swagger back, and it’s all credit to him.”

Conquering Imposter Syndrome

As they faced the biggest moment of their young careers, both players admitted to battling a bit of imposter syndrome. “Part of us both have a little imposter syndrome. It’s like, should we be here? It’s crazy,” Olivia confessed. Their strategy? “Just staying humble and realizing that we’ve earned it and we deserve to be here and soaking up every moment.” The interviewer reassured them, stating, “Imposter syndrome, no such thing. Because we’ve watched both of you work.” The message was clear: celebrate tonight, but get ready for the next level of hard work.

Ready for the Next Level

With their college dreams realized, Olivia and Marta are eager for what’s next. “I’m just ready to play. I’m just ready to see the level. I know the level is only going to rise with the new CBA, with the new opportunities that we have. It’s only going to rise, so I just want to be a part of it,” Olivia stated confidently. They are ready to contribute to the WNBA’s growing success, fueled by their past achievements, like Olivia’s career-high 33 points in the tournament and their collective history-making performances.

As the draft moved towards the Dallas Wings being on the clock, the excitement for the unfolding event and the careers of these talented young women was palpable. Best of luck to Olivia Miles and Marta Suarez as they embark on their professional journeys!

Source: Oliva Miles and Marta Suarez talk about the WNBA Draft | WNBA on ESPN (YouTube)