Bill Simmons didn’t wait long to make his point after Olivia Miles’ latest big night.
The Ringer founder and CEO took aim at the Dallas Wings for passing on the former TCU star in this year’s WNBA draft, comparing it to one of the most infamous draft decisions in recent memory. Simmons first mistakenly wrote that Miles had gone No. 3 overall - she was actually selected No. 2 by the Minnesota Lynx - before correcting himself.
“Olivia Miles falling to #3 was just as stupid and indefensible as Luka falling to 3 in 2018,” Simmons posted on X. “Can’t believe the [expletive] she’s doing during these games, just a blast to watch.
A true hooper. She needs to be a bigger deal.”
His post came after Miles turned in another eye-catching performance, finishing with 32 points on 54% shooting, eight rebounds, eight assists and just one turnover in Minnesota’s 105-102 win over the Seattle Storm on Monday.
That kind of night has become the norm for the rookie guard. Miles is leading all rookies in scoring at 19.6 points per game and in assists at 6.0, while also ranking third among first-year players in rebounds at 4.8 and steals at 1.3.
The Lynx have been rolling with her in the mix, too. Minnesota is 21-6 and owns the WNBA’s only 20-win record, and it has done all of that without Napheesa Collier, who is still working back from dual ankle surgeries.
The Wings, meanwhile, took a different route at No. 1, using the pick on UConn guard Azzi Fudd. She has delivered plenty of value in her own right.
Fudd has been a sharpshooter with a quick release and decisive decision-making while adding strong defense. She leads all rookies in steals per game at 1.7 and is averaging 13.3 points, which ranks fourth among rookies, along with 1.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists.
Dallas has been rewarded for that choice, too. The Wings are 17-9, good for the fourth-best record in the league, and appear on track for their first playoff trip since 2023.
Still, Miles has separated herself as the clear Rookie of the Year favorite, according to oddsmakers. She also sits third in MVP odds, trailing only Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson and Wings guard Paige Buecker.
There is one more wrinkle to the award conversation: in WNBA history, only one rookie has ever won MVP, Candace Parker in 2008.
Even with the debate over who should have gone where, the bigger picture is that both rookies are still early in their pro careers. Miles and Fudd have played just 30 WNBA games apiece, and both are doing it right after a demanding college season.
So while the comparison to Luka Dončić makes for a loud headline, it’s still too soon to put Fudd in the same bucket as DeAndre Ayton and Marvin Bagley III.
In Other News...
How TCUs New QB Stacks Up Against Josh Hoover Is Concerning
Jaden Craig arrives in Fort Worth with a chance to take over the offense after transferring from Harvard, where he put together a strong season and now steps into the starting role for TCU in 2026. The move gives the Horned Frogs a new face at quarterback after Josh Hoover moved on, and it also puts Craig under an immediate spotlight as the program tries to keep its passing game on solid footing.
The early national view, though, is not especially flattering for TCUs new signal-caller. The Athletic slotted Craig 38th among projected FBS starting quarterbacks and eighth in the Big 12, placing him in tier 4 of its rankings, while Hoover checked in much higher at 12th overall and in tier 2. For a team trying to replace a proven starter, that gap is hard to ignore, and it leaves plenty of questions about how quickly Craig can close it once the season gets here. [Read more 🡒]
TCUs No. 39 Countdown Brings Back A Horned Frog Moment Fans Love
With TCUs 2026 season opener against North Carolina set for Dublin, Ireland, the countdown has turned into a reminder of the Horned Frogs moments and players that still resonate with fans. The latest look back lands on No. 39, a spot that brings together two former standouts from different eras in Griffin Kell and Jason Phillips, each of whom left a clear mark on the program in his own way.
Kells run as the Frogs kicker stretched from 2019 through 2023, and it included All-Big 12 recognition as well as the kind of clutch work that makes a specialist unforgettable. Phillips, meanwhile, was a linebacker from 2004 to 2008, piled up All-Mountain West honors, and went on to the NFL before eventually finding his way back to Fort Worth in coaching and analyst roles. The number itself is one thing, but for TCU fans it also serves as a reminder that the deeper the countdown goes, the more familiar faces and defining moments start to surface. [Read more 🡒]