Cheryl Reeve has upgraded her assessment of Olivia Miles. The 2026 WNBA Draft sparked a debate that would rage on throughout the season – #2 pick Miles vs. #1 pick Azzi Fudd. Miles has set the tone early, dictating her pace in the W, while the No. 1 draftee is catching up slowly yet aggressively. Cheryl Reeve has now elevated her assessment of Olivia Miles.

Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve had called the shots early on the draft night, terming Miles as one of the two players in the draft with “generational skills”, along with Fudd. Now, ahead of the second game between the two this season, Reeve has dissected the comparisons between the two players.

“What I said on draft night is that there were two players that had generational skills, I would now classify [Miles] as a generational talent… I think it’s really easy to identify great passing because there’s not a lot of players that are great at it, so instinctually so. And then with Azzi, the quick release, her actions and scoring the basketball, you know, incredibly valuable,” Reeve said as per beat reporter Andrew Dukowitz.

Miles and Fudd are players with contrasting profiles. Olivia Miles is more of a playmaker and field general on the court. It shows in her numbers as well: she leads Minnesota with 6.4 assists per game, per ESPN.

For reference, that’s a higher rookie average than the WNBA’s all-time leader in assists, Sue Bird, managed in her rookie season back in 2002. Bird also averaged 3.4 turnovers to Miles’ 2.9.

Fudd’s path diverges: a three-point specialist earning Dallas starter minutes after a bench role. Fudd has posted back-to-back 20-point games against the NY Liberty and Las Vegas Aces, picking up her pace after a slow start to her W career.

Cheryl Reeve also emphasized consistency while scouting Miles. That has been Miles’ currency for most of her basketball career. Ever since her days at Notre Dame and TCU, Miles has consistently executed the fundamentals.

Olivia Miles’ elite playmaking, court vision, and IQ have been highlights throughout her last four collegiate seasons. In fact, she also averaged over 5 assists per game in all of these seasons. This consistency made Miles stand out even more, according to Reeve.

“I think in the scouting process, when you can repeat something over and over and over again and have been doing so in Liv’s case for a long time, it’s just a matter of can you figure out the pro game in terms of pace and physicality and all the stuff that goes with it, and that’s the part you don’t know,” Reeve added.

Fudd might be boosting her numbers of late, but Miles has fueled a spark to the Minnesota Lynx team that very few can match. While leading her team in assists, Miles is averaging 17.2 ppg, over five points higher than Fudd’s 12.0 ppg.

Despite her playmaking role, Miles has set the record for the most three-pointers in a game for a rookie (8), which she did against the Golden State Valkyries. It reinforces that Miles’ success isn’t just about consistency. It’s about versatility and the ability to fill multiple roles on the court while also adapting to the pace and nuances of the pro circuit.

Now, amid this stellar season, an experienced analyst has shared his two cents on Miles’ early footing in the WNBA.

WNBA Analyst Shares a Bold Take for Olivia Miles

With the numbers Miles is producing, she’s clearly a favorite for the WNBA Rookie of the Year. Although counterparts like Azzi Fudd and Flau’jae Johnson are catching up, Miles leads the ROTY race. But according to analyst Robin Lundberg, Miles’ ceiling isn’t just restricted to the ROTY.

“Olivia Miles found herself in the perfect circumstances, right?” Lundberg said on his YouTube channel. “She gets to go to a coach in Cheryl Reeve, who is going to let her play. She gets to go to a situation where she was needed, and her specific skill set was needed, and she gets to go to a situation where Napheesa Collier is out at the beginning of the season, and therefore her role is even increased.”

Lundberg concluded: “Olivia Miles not only looks like a Rookie of the Year but an MVP, all-WNBA kind of candidate.”

Lundberg’s assessment reflects Miles’ circumstances: Reeve’s system, roster need, and Collier’s absence. All of these have contributed to her solid start. For instance, Reeve’s team played without a true point guard last season. Courtney Williams, a natural shooting guard, filled the void temporarily.

But upon Miles’ arrival, the rookie has taken over that role. It allows Williams to play in her natural position and emphasize her scoring ability. On top of that, the Lynx required a by-committee approach after Napheesa Collier was ruled out for the first few games of the season. It gave Olivia Miles further leverage in an enhanced role, contributing to her success.

However, her performance will be tested against Azzi Fudd and the rest of the Dallas Wings’ backcourt. Miles and the Minnesota Lynx got the upper hand last month, winning the game 90-86. It will be interesting to see what this second chapter holds in the rivalry between Fudd and Miles. The tip-off is on June 9 at the Target Center.