Bold statement: Olivia Miles is redefining how high a college star can elevate her game, and the 2026 WNBA Draft feels like only a formality at this point. And this is the part most people miss: her evolution isn’t just about more points; it’s about becoming a multi-faceted threat who can shape any offense.
No matter where she’s eventually drafted, TCU’s Olivia Miles will enter the 2026 WNBA Draft as a markedly improved player. Her ceiling has expanded in two big ways: shot volume and playmaking. Miles set a personal best for 3-point attempts on Thursday, launching 20 long-range tries, up from her previous high of 13. She’s grown into a prolific 3-point shooter, a transformation that began during her Notre Dame days and culminated in a career-best 40-point performance to lift No. 17 TCU over No. 12 Baylor, 83-67, with 10 threes to her name.
Her development isn’t only about scoring from deep. Miles has matured into one of the most gifted passers the college game has seen in years, while also increasing her efficiency in other areas. Last year she shot 40.6% from beyond the arc; this season her 3-point percentage sits at 37.3%, a slight dip that’s balanced by a higher usage rate and strong all-around numbers. She’s averaging 6.6 assists per game (up 0.8) and 6.8 rebounds per game (up 1.2), while raising her two-point field goals per game to 5.3 and climbing to a career-best 7.3 field goals per game overall (up 1.9). Her overall shooting efficiency is outstanding, with a career-best field goal percentage around the 50% mark in most seasons, and she’s currently hitting free throws at an impressive 85.7% clip, about 6.7 percentage points above her previous best.
Miles is not just a volume shooter; she’s a well-rounded scorer who can lead an offense. She’s increasing her free-throw attempts and maintaining a strong percentage from the line, which has helped push her scoring average to 20.5 points per game. She’s flirting with the coveted 50-40-90 benchmark and remains a perennial triple-double threat, a rarity that places her in elite company alongside the best passers in the sport.
There was a narrative before this season about why she would return to college when she was projected as a top-2 pick in the WNBA Draft. The argument was that No. 1 vs. No. 2 doesn’t affect starting salaries, and some drafts projected her as third in recent mocks. In those scenarios, a top-two payday wouldn’t automatically translate to a bigger contract, and for some, the risk of injury outweighed the potential upside of staying in college. Yet Miles’ decision to return has paid dividends in terms of development, confidence, and marketability—the NIL landscape and the NCAA’s new revenue-sharing framework further sweetening the financial picture. The question—would she have benefited more from turning pro earlier?—is now part of the discussion rather than the certainty.
The real payoff of this season, however, isn’t just about money. It’s about how Miles has sharpened her game in a setting where she can dominate as a scorer and facilitator. If she can translate this elevated play into the WNBA, she’ll have a ready-made toolkit to lean on as a rookie: the capacity to score from multiple levels, distribute with precision, and impact the game with her decision-making in critical moments.
From a scouting perspective, Miles’ performance has only intensified excitement around her pro prospects. With the Seattle Storm holding the No. 3 pick and the potential for a dynamic pairing with a 6-foot-6 center like Dominique Malonga, the fit could be ideal for a multi-year run of strong production. The pairing would be intriguing for fans and analysts alike, signaling a promising future if they land together.
For now, Miles is focused on pursuing a deeper NCAA tournament run, aiming for an Elite Eight and beyond. Notre Dame’s path to post-season progress has had its share of heartbreak, including season-ending injuries and tough losses, which colored her decision to stay and push her game further. Her late-season surge at TCU has sparked a new wave of optimism about her capacity to lead a team deep into March—and into the WNBA spotlight.
TCU’s current standing is promising. After beating Baylor, the Horned Frogs—now 22-4 overall and 10-3 in the Big 12—face critical tests, including a rematch with West Virginia and a rematch with Baylor to close the regular season. They sit at No. 12 in the initial NCAA top-16 reveal, positioning them for a favorable seed and host potential as they push toward a high-stakes postseason run. If Miles continues to perform at this level, securing a No. 3 seed and maintaining host status is well within reach, keeping the dream alive for a deep tournament push as they head toward March Madness.
In short, Miles has used this season to demonstrate that she’s not merely a premier college player with a flashy resume. She’s evolved into a complete, high-impact guard who can carry a team, adapt, and elevate those around her. Her 2026 draft prospects reflect that growth: a top line of teams will be watching closely to see how her game translates to the professional stage. And as fans eagerly await her next move, the conversation around her potential and impact remains as compelling as ever.
