This WNBA Rookie of Jamaican Heritage Breaks Three Point Record to Make History

Minnesota Lynx rookie Olivia Miles added her name to the WNBA record book after producing one of the best shooting performances ever by a first year player. The guard set a new WNBA rookie record for three pointers made in a single game, connecting on eight shots from beyond the arc during a victory over the Golden State Valkyries.

The performance drew attention across the basketball world and added another milestone to what has already been a strong start to her professional career. For many fans in the Caribbean and the Jamaican diaspora, the achievement carried added meaning because of Miles’ Jamaican family roots.

A New WNBA Rookie Record

Miles finished the game with 28 points, seven assists and four rebounds while making eight of her 11 three point attempts. Her eight three pointers established a new WNBA rookie record for most made in a single game.

The previous mark was seven, a record shared by several players, including Caitlin Clark during her rookie season in 2024.

The record setting performance was especially notable because Miles entered the game after a slow start from long range earlier in the season. Against Golden State, however, she found her rhythm early and continued to score throughout the contest.

Her shooting display also tied the Minnesota Lynx franchise record for most three pointers made in a game.

A Strong Start to Her Professional Career

Selected with the second overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, Miles has quickly become an important player for the Lynx.

Known for her court vision and ability to create opportunities for teammates, she entered the league with a reputation as one of the top guards in college basketball. Her transition to the professional level has been smooth, with contributions as both a scorer and playmaker.

The record performance highlighted another part of her game. While many fans recognized her passing ability before she entered the WNBA, the game against Golden State showed that she can also take over offensively when needed.

Her production has helped Minnesota remain among the league’s top teams during the opening weeks of the season.

Jamaican Heritage Part of Her Story

Miles comes from a multicultural family background. Her father, Yakubu Miles, was born in Jamaica and later immigrated to the United States as a child. Her mother, Maria Miles, is of Italian heritage.

Throughout her basketball journey, Miles has spoken about lessons learned from her parents, including discipline, hard work and gratitude. Her Jamaican roots are an important part of her family story and have helped shape the values she carries both on and off the court.

For Jamaican basketball fans, her rise has become another example of athletes with Jamaican heritage making an impact on the international stage. While Jamaica is best known for producing world class track and field stars, athletes with Jamaican connections continue to leave their mark across a variety of sports, including basketball.

A Journey Built on Hard Work

Before reaching the WNBA, Miles built an impressive college career. She starred at Notre Dame before continuing her development at TCU. Along the way, she earned recognition as one of the top guards in the country.

Her path was not without challenges. A serious knee injury forced her to miss significant playing time, but she returned to the court and continued her development. The experience became an important chapter in her growth as an athlete.

By the time she entered the 2026 WNBA Draft, many analysts viewed her as one of the most talented prospects available.

Now, only weeks into her rookie season, she has already achieved something no first year player had done before.

A Moment That Will Be Remembered

Records are often broken, but some stand out because of the stage, the timing and the player involved. For Olivia Miles, setting a new WNBA rookie record for three pointers in a game is a milestone that will remain part of league history.

The achievement also adds another chapter to a career that continues to gain momentum. With her combination of scoring, passing and leadership, Miles has already become one of the most talked about rookies in the league.

Her record setting performance came on June 4, 2026, when she made eight three pointers against the Golden State Valkyries, establishing a new benchmark for WNBA rookies and giving fans another reason to follow her promising career.

Photo – Instagram/John Mac, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons