Olivia Miles should receive rookie honor Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers were denied

Primary Journalistic Dispatch & Direct Reporting

Aug 19, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Minnesota Lynx guard Olivia Miles (5) celebrates after the three point basket during the fourth quarter against the Golden State Valkyries at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect The WNBA has crowned 28 Rookie of the Year winners so far. Five of those—Candace Parker, Tina Charles, Elena Delle Donne, A’ja Wilson, and Aliyah Boston—won the award unanimously.Â

The WNBA has crowned 28 Rookie of the Year winners so far. Five of those—Candace Parker, Tina Charles, Elena Delle Donne, A’ja Wilson, and Aliyah Boston—won the award unanimously.Â

Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers had great cases to be named unanimous Rookie of the Year winners in the past two years, but Angel Reese got one vote in 2024 and Sonia Citron two in 2025. Reese and Citron put together phenomenal seasons, but Clark and Bueckers were still the clear winners with all of the records they broke and the numbers they put up.Â

In-Depth Developments & Factual Context

Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers had great cases to be named unanimous Rookie of the Year winners in the past two years, but Angel Reese got one vote in 2024 and Sonia Citron two in 2025. Reese and Citron put together phenomenal seasons, but Clark and Bueckers were still the clear winners with all of the records they broke and the numbers they put up.Â

The same could happen to Olivia Miles. Sydney Taylor and Azzi Fudd have put together amazing seasons and would be in the running for the award in pretty much any other year. But it shouldn’t. Miles is the only realistic choice for Rookie of the Year votes this year. No one else can compete with what she has done.Â

The same could happen to Olivia Miles. Sydney Taylor and Azzi Fudd have put together amazing seasons and would be in the running for the award in pretty much any other year. But it shouldn’t. Miles is the only realistic choice for Rookie of the Year votes this year. No one else can compete with what she has done.Â

Industry Impact & Strategic Analysis

As good as players like Fudd, Taylor, Flau’jae Johnson, Awa Fam, Kiki Rice, and Pauline Astier have been, they cannot compete with what Miles is doing in Minnesota. She’s an MVP candidate for the team with the best record going into the playoffs, averaging 19.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1.3 steals. She’s doing it efficiently too, shooting almost 50% from the field and close to 40% from deep.Â

As good as players like Fudd, Taylor, Flau’jae Johnson, Awa Fam, Kiki Rice, and Pauline Astier have been, they cannot compete with what Miles is doing in Minnesota. She’s an MVP candidate for the team with the best record going into the playoffs, averaging 19.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1.3 steals. She’s doing it efficiently too, shooting almost 50% from the field and close to 40% from deep.Â

Miles has scored 749 total points so far this season. That’s over 200 more than Flau’jae Johnson, who ranks second with 534. She has also dished out 228 assists—82 more than Charlisse Leger-Walker who ranks second. Moreover, Miles ranks third in total steals among rookies behind Fudd and Johnson, making a defensive impact that was rather surprising after her struggles on that end of the floor in college.Â

Forward Outlook & Market Perspective

Miles has scored 749 total points so far this season. That’s over 200 more than Flau’jae Johnson, who ranks second with 534. She has also dished out 228 assists—82 more than Charlisse Leger-Walker who ranks second. Moreover, Miles ranks third in total steals among rookies behind Fudd and Johnson, making a defensive impact that was rather surprising after her struggles on that end of the floor in college.Â

But Miles’s numbers don’t just stand out in comparison to other rookies. She ranks ninth in points per game across the entire league and seventh in assists. Miles is one of just six players who average at least 15 points and 5 assists per game. The Lynx would not have a 31-9 record without her. They may not even be legitimate title contenders without her, considering how much having a point guard like Miles has unlocked Courtney Williams and allowed Natasha Howard to thrive.Â

But Miles’s numbers don’t just stand out in comparison to other rookies. She ranks ninth in points per game across the entire league and seventh in assists. Miles is one of just six players who average at least 15 points and 5 assists per game. The Lynx would not have a 31-9 record without her. They may not even be legitimate title contenders without her, considering how much having a point guard like Miles has unlocked Courtney Williams and allowed Natasha Howard to thrive.Â

There’s just no argument for another player to win Rookie of the Year over her, especially now that Fudd missed several games after undergoing knee surgery and won’t compete in the playoffs.Â

There’s just no argument for another player to win Rookie of the Year over her, especially now that Fudd missed several games after undergoing knee surgery and won’t compete in the playoffs.Â

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