Reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year Olivia Miles praised Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark and explained why the three-time All-Star is challenging to defend.
On Thursday’s episode of “The Old Man and Three” podcast, Miles discussed competing against fellow young stars Clark, Paige Bueckers and Sonia Citron. The Lynx star also shared what distinguishes their playing styles.
“Obviously, Caitlin with the shooting and her playmaking ability,” Miles said. “She’s so good with her right hand attacking downhill and creating for others. And obviously, in transition, she’s deadly. So, it is annoying to play against. You got to guard her, and you got to make sure that you have bodies on her at all times, and making it hard.
“Same for Paige. Like Paige is (great) with her right hand and great (at) posting up in the short corner, and like, facilitating for her teammates as well. And then you have Sonia, who can do everything and can shoot, play at all three levels, and then play defense on the other end as well.”
Miles and Clark are coming off impressive campaigns during the 2026 WNBA season.
Miles averaged 19.8 points, 6.0 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game on 49.2% shooting, including 38.8% from 3-point range. In addition to setting several rookie records, she earned an All-Star selection and was named to both the All-WNBA First Team and All-Rookie Team.
Meanwhile, Clark averaged a career-high 22.3 ppg, 8.3 apg and 4.0 rpg on 44.5% shooting (36.1% on 3-pointers). She received her third All-Star nod and her second All-WNBA First Team selection.
Olivia Miles describes games against Caitlin Clark and other star guards as ‘exciting’ and ‘fun’
In the same interview on Thursday’s “The Old Man and Three” podcast, Minnesota Lynx star Olivia Miles said the popularity of Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers and Sonia Citron makes the games against them enjoyable.
“The young guards, I think, they’re really impressive and really hard to guard,” Miles said. “But they make the game exciting and fun to watch. Obviously, that’s why people are watching all these Fever games, (our) games and Paige’s games. … We love when Paige comes here because all her family and friends come out and make it a good environment.
“So, they’re not only bringing the skills, but the traction in the audiences that have helped grow our game.”
Bueckers, who plays for the Dallas Wings, is from Hopkins, Minnesota, so she is playing in front of her hometown fans at Target Center in Minneapolis, the Lynx’s home arena.
Clark, Miles, Bueckers and Citron are arguably four of the most popular WNBA stars today and are widely regarded as the future of the league.
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Edited by Kim Daniel Rubinos
