Miles misses out as Team USA finalizes its roster
Olivia Miles has made a strong entrance into the WNBA, but her latest Team USA update has put her name back in the spotlight. The Minnesota Lynx rookie has already reached a major milestone in her first professional season.
Her rapid rise has added another chapter to a career that continues to draw attention. With the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup approaching, one question remains: where does Miles stand in Team USA’s plans?
Miles was outside the senior evaluation cycle
Miles was not part of USA Basketball’s senior national team evaluation cycle during the past year. She was completing her final college season at TCU while national team camps and qualifying events were taking place.
USA Basketball managing director Sue Bird said attending camps is not required for selection. Bird described those opportunities as important for evaluating players within the national team system.
Her college season ended with major honors
Miles completed her season at TCU after transferring from Notre Dame, averaging 19.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.6 assists. She helped TCU finish 32-6, win the Big 12 regular-season championship, and reach the Elite Eight.
The WNBA lists those achievements among the credentials from her final college season. Miles was then selected No. 2 overall by the Minnesota Lynx in the 2026 WNBA Draft.
Minnesota selected Miles second overall
The Minnesota Lynx selected Miles with the second overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft. The 5-foot-10 guard entered the league after college stops at Notre Dame and TCU.
Her college career gave her experience in two major Division I programs. Her draft position placed her among the highest-selected players entering the WNBA that year.
Miles quickly became a WNBA All-Star
Miles earned a starting spot in the 2026 WNBA All-Star Game during her rookie season. When starters were announced, the league reported that she ranked 10th in the WNBA in scoring and eighth in assists while leading all rookies in both categories.
She joined established stars, including Caitlin Clark, A’ja Wilson, and Breanna Stewart, in the starting lineup. It was her first WNBA All-Star selection.
Her rookie production remained strong
Miles has averaged 20.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game this season for Minnesota, according to the WNBA’s current player page. Those numbers reflect her strong production as a rookie guard.
Miles has also recorded multiple games with double-digit assists. On July 18, she had 10 assists against the Portland Fire.
Miles already has senior Team USA experience
Miles is not new to USA Basketball, despite missing the 2026 World Cup roster. She made her senior national team debut at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup in Chile, where the United States won gold.
According to FIBA, Miles averaged 6.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 7.1 assists across seven games. She led the U.S. in assists during that tournament.
The 2026 roster includes 12 players
The United States roster features Aliyah Boston, Paige Bueckers, Caitlin Clark, Napheesa Collier, Kahleah Copper, and Chelsea Gray. It also includes Rhyne Howard, Kelsey Plum, Angel Reese, Breanna Stewart, A’ja Wilson, and Jackie Young.
USA Basketball selected the group to pursue its fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s World Cup championship. Eight players from the March World Cup qualifying roster also made the final team.
Interesting fact: FIBA was founded by just eight national basketball federations in 1932.
Recent camps shaped the evaluation process
USA Basketball’s evaluation period included a national team camp in December, the March FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament, and another national team camp in April. The U.S. went 5-0 in the March qualifying event, and eight players from that roster later made the World Cup team.
Miles did not participate in those senior-team evaluation opportunities. She spent that period completing her college season at TCU.
Interesting fact: Basketball’s first Olympic tournament in 1936 was played outdoors on a clay-and-sand court.
Sue Bird addressed Miles’ omission
Sue Bird discussed Miles after the roster announcement and acknowledged her strong start with Minnesota. Bird said Miles has previously played with USA Basketball and will be in the mix for future teams.
Bird also explained that camps allow evaluators to see players in the national-team environment. She specifically noted the value of seeing players under head coach Kara Lawson’s system.
The roster balances experience and youth
Bird said the roster was built around a mix of experience and youth, with an emphasis on players who complement one another. Five members played for the United States at the 2022 World Cup.
Seven players are set to make their major World Cup debuts at the event. Several roster members already have Olympic or junior-level gold medals with USA Basketball.
The World Cup will affect the WNBA schedule
The 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup will run from Sept. 4-13 in Berlin, Germany. The WNBA will pause its season from Aug. 31 through Sept. 16 while national teams compete.
Minnesota will send Napheesa Collier to Team USA for the tournament. Miles will remain with the Lynx during the international competition period.
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Miles remains eligible for future USA teams
Miles’ omission from the 2026 World Cup roster does not end her involvement with USA Basketball. Bird said she expects Miles to remain in consideration for future national teams.
Miles already has senior international experience from the 2025 AmeriCup. Future opportunities will depend on selections, evaluation periods, and USA Basketball’s future schedule and international events.
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What do you think about Olivia Miles missing the Team USA Women’s World Cup roster? Like this slideshow and comment with your thoughts on the decision and whether you think Miles should have made the team.
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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