So, here is the thing about Olivia Miles.
When she announced she was leaving Notre Dame for LSU, the internet basically broke. But there’s a catch.
Everyone has high hopes, and rightfully so, she is a good player.
But if you ask me, we need to be real about her knee. Now think about that for a second.
It was a ACL tear. Now think about that for a second.
That stuff heals slow and it changes a person, physically and mentally.
Olivia Miles is more than just a name on a roster.
She is a playmaker.
When she is healthy, the ball moves on her hands like she owns the court.
She passed the ball really well last season before things went south.
The problem is the knee.
It is the biggest question mark on her resume right now.
The Move to Baton Rouge
Let’s talk about why she went to LSU. But there’s a catch.
Notre Dame is a great program, but it felt like the ceiling was reached for her there.
LSU needed a point guard.
They needed someone to control the pace.
She brings that energy.
It is a high-pressure situation though.
From what I’ve seen in the pre-season clips, she looks lighter.
Maybe she lost some weight to protect the knee.
That is a smart move.
If she carries too much bulk, she is going to be limping by February.
The coaching staff at LSU seems to know this. Here’s the interesting part.
They are trying to manage her minutes carefully.
It is a delicate balance.
You want her to play, but you don’t want to ruin her career in one season.
Her Playing Style and Stats
When we look at olivia miles stats, they are impressive when she is actually on the floor.
She averages like double figures in points and assists. But there’s a catch.
The assist numbers are what matter most.
She doesn’t just score; she sets up the whole team.
This is why scouts like her.
Most people overlook the defensive side of her game.
She is actually pretty scrappy.
She will dive on the floor for a loose ball.
It is a gritty playstyle that coaches love.
But the injury makes that grit hard to find sometimes.
You have to be careful.
You can’t just go full speed all the time.
It takes time to get that explosiveness back.
The Injury Reality Check
Let’s not sugarcoat it.
The ACL injury is scary.
It is the worst thing that can happen to a basketball player.
It takes about 9 to 12 months to fully recover.
Olivia had surgery.
Now she is in the rehab phase.
I think people forget how fast college players move.
She has to get back to 100% or she is going to get burned.
If the knee gives out again, it is going to be a long career in the WNBA, or maybe no career at all.
The mental part is the hardest part.
Getting back out there after you tear your ACL is terrifying.
You feel like you are going to re-injure it the second you touch the ball.
Comparison to Other Stars
People are always comparing her to other point guards.
Like JuJu Watson.
They both played together at some point.
They are different though.
JuJu is a shooter.
Olivia is more of a creator. Oddly enough,
She creates shots for others.
That is valuable.
You can’t teach that kind of court vision.
- Strong ball handling
- High basketball IQ
- Playmaking ability
- Aggressive driving to the rim
Is She Going to the NBA?
This is the big question everyone asks.
Is she going to declare for the draft? It is too early to say for sure.
The draft is a long way away.
But if she has a great senior season at LSU, the sky is the limit.
She would probably be a first-round pick.
It all depends on that knee.
If she stays healthy and dominates, she leaves.
If she struggles, she might stay in school for another year to prove she is whole again.
It is a gamble either way.
What to Expect Next Season
I expect her to be a work in progress.
She won’t be the player she was in high school immediately. But there’s a catch.
It is going to take time.
The fans in Baton Rouge have to be patient.
They love her, but they want wins now.
She is going to be the leader of that team.
She has to be.
The pressure is going to be intense.
Every game she plays, people are going to be watching her knee.
They are going to watch every step she takes. But there’s a catch.
It is a lot of pressure, but she is used to pressure.
She is a talented kid with a lot of potential.
We just have to wait and see if she can put it all together.
It is a long season ahead.
Best way to follow her journey: I recommend checking out her social media updates or her team’s official site for the latest news on her practice sessions and game schedules.
Image source: pexels.com
Image source credit: pexels.com