Minnesota Lynx rookie Olivia Miles received high praise from the newest star of the Minnesota Timberwolves, star guard LaMelo Ball. The one-time All-Star was traded by the Charlotte Hornets early in the offseason. It was one of the most surprising moves of the summer, as the Timberwolves wanted to address their point guard concerns in free agency.
On Tuesday, the Timberwolves officially introduced Ball to the media. During the introductory press, the star guard was asked about WNBA‘s Miles and his thoughts on the young guard. He was asked if he had had the chance to watch the former TCU guard.
“Yeah, yeah, of course. She cold,” Ball said.
In her first season as a professional basketball player, Miles has become one of the most dynamic point guards in the WNBA. She has appeared in 22 games this season, averaging 19.4 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.7 assists on 36.1% shooting from beyond the arc.
She was voted as an All-Star starter for this year’s All-Star Game in Chicago, and is the only rookie to be in the starting lineup this season. Former WNBA player Chiney Ogwumike had high praise for Olivia Miles’ impact on the court despite being a rookie over the weekend.
“Let me go a little bit into the matrix. Because it’s so easy to talk about the passes or the stepback. But she has been the wonder kid so far of the season,” the former athlete said.
“Some people are just gifted. Those little things. The size, the posture, and just the way she moves a little bit off the dribble to her own beat. That’s why we have an All-Star.”
Olivia Miles Reaches 400 Points in Her Rookie Season
Since the season started, Olivia Miles has been at her best. After 22 games, she reached a scoring milestone that no other WNBA rookie has reached. According to ESPN on Tuesday, Miles recorded 400 points, and she is the fastest player to reach that scoring feat, along with 100 rebounds and 100 assists.
Miles also set a new record for the Lynx after she scored a career-high of 33 points on Monday against the Phoenix Mercury. She scored the most points in a single game by a rookie for Minnesota.
Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve recognized the impact that Miles has in the team and said this about her.
“The success of the team is on her shoulders, and that is impressive how she’s handled it…I can’t say enough. Her impact on our team, just the magnitude of it, shouldn’t be understated.”
Olivia Miles has become one of the best players for the Lynx as they await the return of their star, Napheesa Collier, from injury.
Edited by Reign Amurao