Sophie Cunningham Crowns Olivia Miles as WNBA’s Best Rookie After Historic Start
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham has offered high praise for Minnesota Lynx rookie sensation Olivia Miles, calling her the best rookie in the 2026 WNBA season. On Friday’s episode of her “Show Me Something” podcast, Cunningham didn’t hold back, stating that Miles, the No. 2 pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, has been the league’s top first-year player. “Olivia Miles is turning heads in the league right now,” Cunningham said, “and she is getting recognition of the highest kind possible—from her peers.”
Miles has indeed made a historic start to her WNBA career. She became the fastest player ever to reach 400 points, 100 rebounds, and 100 assists, accomplishing the feat in just 22 games. In May alone, she dished out 9 assists while leading all first-year players in several major categories. Her all-around game has forced her name into every major conversation, even as much of the preseason attention centered on stars like Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers.
Cunningham also highlighted the dramatic rise in athletic standards across the league, calling Miles’ physical pace a top-tier compliment. “The speed and physicality she plays with is on another level,” Cunningham noted. That pace, combined with her court vision and scoring ability, has made Miles an early favorite for the WNBA Rookie of the Year award. Her impact on the Lynx has been immediate, and her peers are taking notice.
As the 2026 season unfolds, Olivia Miles continues to prove she belongs among the elite. With Cunningham’s endorsement, the rookie’s case for Rookie of the Year grows stronger by the game. If her historic pace continues, Miles won’t just be a standout rookie—she’ll be a cornerstone of the league’s future.
Shimanta Das 
