Sophie Cunningham Hails Lynx Phenom Olivia Miles as “Freakin’ Beast

Indiana Fever veteran Sophie Cunningham has publicly lauded Minnesota Lynx rookie sensation Olivia Miles, describing the burgeoning star as a “freakin’ beast” and a clear front-runner for the WNBA Rookie of the Year award. Cunningham’s strong endorsement highlights the significant impact Miles has already made in her debut professional season.

Miles, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, has quickly established herself as a dominant force. Her impressive performances in May earned her Rookie of the Month honors, averaging 15.4 points and 5.9 assists per game. She led all rookies in scoring, assists, steals, and efficiency during that period.

Breaking Records

The young guard continued her stellar play into June, setting a new WNBA rookie record for most three-pointers in a single game with eight during the Lynx’s 87-84 victory over the Golden State Valkyries. This achievement surpassed the previous record held by Caitlin Clark.

Cunningham’s assessment came during a recent episode of her “Show Me Something” podcast. The Fever star detailed what makes Miles such a challenging opponent to guard. “I know that they said Olivia Miles was like up for rookie. She’s going to get rookie of the year,” Cunningham stated. “I don’t know if anyone has watched her play, whoever’s listening to this, she is a beast. An actual beast. She is. I’m not kidding.”

Style of Play

The veteran player pointed to Miles’ physical style of play and her unique offensive maneuvers as key factors in her early success. “She like, she just has like the wiggle of a guy,” Cunningham explained. “Like she is so good. Her passing, her shooting, her court vision. Like she is, she is good.”

Cunningham emphasized the importance of acknowledging talent within the league, even among competitors. “I like her. And I know people think it’s weird when like you compliment other people in our league because you have to play against them,” she added. “But I also like, give this girl her flowers. Like she is a freaking beast.”

Collegiate Success

Miles entered the WNBA with a decorated collegiate career at Notre Dame. She became the first freshman in NCAA Tournament history to record a triple-double and holds the program’s all-time record for career triple-doubles. Her collegiate momentum has clearly translated to the professional level.

Recent Performances

Prior to her record-breaking three-point performance, Miles nearly scored 30 points against the Las Vegas Aces in a close contest. She followed that with a strong showing in a 33-point blowout win over the Portland Fire. Across 14 games played, Miles is averaging an impressive 18.1 points, 5.9 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game.

The Lynx guard will have another opportunity to showcase her skills and validate Cunningham’s praise when Minnesota faces the Los Angeles Sparks at Crypto.com Arena on Wednesday.

Key facts

This development is significant for WNBA fans as it highlights the emergence of a new, highly talented player who is already drawing comparisons and admiration from established stars. Miles’ early success sets the stage for an exciting Rookie of the Year race and suggests a bright future for the league.

Source: Yahoo Sports – https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/she-freakin-beast-fever-star-043106851.html