Scandal! Olivia Miles: The “Fixer” of Notre Dame Basketball

The Triple-Double Fixer

Olivia Miles is not a “normal” point guard. Miles is a future All-Star and a franchise-changing point guard. The walking stat sheet stuffer is averaging 16.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game. She’s also doing it while shooting an impressive 53.6% from the field. But her real abilities lie in her knack for stuffing the box score.

Miles has already notched three triple-doubles this season, including a jaw-dropping 18 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists against Loyola Maryland and an 11-point, 10-rebound, 14-assist masterpiece against Virginia. Read that again—14 assists. Yikes.

With her six career triple-doubles, Miles is now tied with Maryland legend Alyssa Thomas for the most in ACC history. There’s reason to believe she will not be slowing down when her collegiate career is over and she gets to the WNBA.

Miles is also the first player in ACC history to record back-to-back triple-doubles. Also, please don’t forget her ability to rebound the basketball—she is only one of three Notre Dame players (joining Skylar Diggins-Smith and Lindsay Allen) to reach the milestone of 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, and 500 assists.

Like Pope, who always had a plan to clean up the mess, Miles has a knack for fixing games. When Notre Dame needs a spark, she delivers. When her teammates are struggling, she elevates them. And when the pressure is on, she thrives. Much like Olivia Pope, Miles thrives under pressure.

When the game is on the line, she’s the one clearing up the mess and delivering wins. Her ability to adapt to different situations and elevate her teammates is reminiscent of Pope’s knack for solving crises. And just like Pope had her Gladiators, Miles has her squad. Notre Dame’s talented roster is poised to make a championship run. With players featuring a National Player of the Year candidate in Hannah Hidalgo, Sonia Citron, Maddy Westbeld, and Liatu King, they are set for another national championship.

The Future is bright

Although it seems Paige Bueckers, UConn’s star point guard, is determined to become the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, the way Olivia Miles has played this season should make any general manager reconsider. This is not an indictment against Bueckers but more of a compliment to how amazing Miles has been.

In fact, even though the Los Angeles Sparks chose to move in a different direction by trading the No. 2 pick in the WNBA Draft for Kelsey Plum, it only benefits the team that many feel won the trade—the Seattle Storm. If taken in the draft, Miles’ backcourt mate would switch from an All-American in Hidalgo to her new running mate, perennial First Team All-WNBA guard Skylar Diggins-Smith.

For the Storm, this would serve as a great pairing for the franchise. The two guards would complement each other well. The Storm roster already features younger players such as Ezi Magbegor and Jordan Horston, who all played somewhat significant roles for the franchise.

With all of these pieces already in place—youthful players and solid veterans—Olivia Miles has the potential to change the trajectory of the Storm moving forward. Whether it’s the Seattle Storm, another lottery team (if the league lets her go to Chicago, it’s a wrap), or a dark horse that trades up for her (calling the Chicago Sky), she brings a rare combination of leadership, vision, and playmaking that translates seamlessly to the next level.

Similar to Olivia Pope, Miles can elevate a team and find the perfect solution to their championship aspirations. Miles won’t only be a great WNBA player—she’ll be a franchise fixer.