TCU star Olivia Miles taken No. 2 overall by Minnesota Lynx in WNBA Draft

Olivia Miles is taking her talents to Minnesota.

After leading TCU women's basketball to its second consecutive Elite Eight appearance, Miles was drafted second overall by the Minnesota Lynx at the 2026 WNBA Draft on Monday, April 13 in New York. Miles is the second consecutive first-round pick to come out of TCU after fellow guard Hailey Van Lith was drafted 11th overall in 2025.

"It's something I've dreamed of as a kid at this point," Miles told USA TODAY Sports last month. "It's out of my control. I have to go and see whatever happens and trust that I'll be put in the right situation. But just grateful that I'm able to take the next step in basketball and play professional."

Miles was projected to go as high as No. 2 overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft following four years at Notre Dame, but the 5-foot-10 guard ultimately decided to cash in her final year of collegiate eligibility to further develop her skills.

"Deep in my heart I needed one more year to be ready, physically, mentally," she said.

Miles entered the transfer portal and joined TCU, where she had a career year and etched her name in the program's record book. She averaged a career-high 19.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 1.8 steals, while shooting 48.1% from the filed in a career-high 38 games (all starts). She set single-season records in points (744), assists (252), field goals (268) and minutes played (1344) in the school's second-consecutive 30+ win season.

Miles averaged a near triple-double in TCU's run to the Elite Eight in the 2026 NCAA tournament, averaging 19 points, 9.75 rebounds and nine assists in four games. She recorded 12 points, a career-high 16 rebounds and a program-record 14 assists inTCU’s 86-40 blowout win over No. 14 UC San Diego in the first round.

It marked Miles’ sixth triple-double of the season and the 12th of her career. Only Sabrina Ionescu (23) and Caitlin Clark (17) have more career triple-doubles in women's college basketball. Both Ionescu and Clark were drafted No. 1 overall in 2020 and 2024, respectively.

"This year has paid off for me in ways that I can't even describe in that regard... I found my joy back, my love for the game, and I found a sisterhood and a family that I'll have forever," Miles said on March 21 when asked by USA TODAY. "I've grown in my leadership. I've grown in my game, obviously. I'm having a career year across the board. But also I've grown in just trusting myself and knowing that I can play at a high level, and I didn't quite think I was there last year or a ready enough to be a pro at that moment but now I feel ready."

Miles' court vision is arguably the best in the country and not only can she find wide open looks for her teammates, she can score in a variety of ways. She can drive to the cup for a layup, hit a midrange jumper or pull up from the 3-point line where she's shot 35.1% last season.

"There's maybe five women on the planet that can do what (Miles) does, men or women," TCU head coach Mark Campbell said following TCU's Sweet 16 win over Virginia, where Miles and Marta Suarez scored or assisted on all the team's 79 points. "Her basketball vision, her IQ, her understanding of the game is magical. It's a gift that she has."

Reach USA TODAY National Women’s Sports Reporter Cydney Henderson at chenderson@gannett.com and follow her on X at @CydHenderson.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: TCU's Olivia Miles goes No. 2 overall in WNBA Draft to Minnesota Lynx