The Big 12 Conference continued to solidify its growing influence in women’s basketball Monday night, highlighted by Olivia Miles being selected No. 2 overall by the Minnesota Lynx in the 2026 WNBA Draft.
Miles, who starred at TCU Horned Frogs women’s basketball, became one of five Big 12 players to hear their names called, underscoring the league’s rising pipeline to the professional level. Her selection near the top of the draft reflects both her dynamic playmaking ability and the conference’s increasing national footprint.
With five players taken this year, the Big 12 has now produced at least that many draft picks in consecutive seasons — a benchmark the conference hadn’t reached since 2020 and 2021. The back-to-back output signals sustained growth and depth across the league, as more programs develop WNBA-ready talent.
For the Lynx, Miles brings versatility and high-level court vision, adding another young cornerstone to a franchise focused on building its next competitive core.
And for the Big 12, Monday night served as another reminder: its presence on draft night is no longer a surprise — it’s becoming the standard.
