Olivia Miles isn’t just Notre Dame’s star point guard — she comes from an incredible family background. Her story is filled with discipline, legacy, passion, and purpose, and it didn’t kick off on the basketball court. It all began long before that, in the small moments and valuable lessons shared with her family. So, what sets her apart, and what was her family background growing up?
All About Olivia Miles’ Parents, Maria and Yakubu Miles
Miles’ mother, Maria Miles, is a chemical engineer with Italian roots. Her career has taught her the value of education and discipline, principles she has made sure to share with her from an early age. Maria’s commitment to academic success and personal honesty has been a key influence in her journey, both on the field and off.
Olivia still holds onto the lessons her parents shared with her, and one of those valuable pieces of advice is, “They were always on me about No. 1 staying humble and No. 2 being aware of your brand, yourself and your image and your name — and it carries everything along with you,” Miles said via Lou Somogyi of InsideNDSports.
“I’ve always been raised and taught to respect myself, respect others and think first before posting something [on social media] that thousands of people can see,” she added.
She later added, “And especially with a younger audience of young girls playing basketball, it would just be a bad look to post something and have them think of you like that or follow in those footsteps. They’re always on the side talking to me about watching what I’m doing and being cognizant of really just posting something that will help instead of hurt someone.”.
Yakubu Miles, Olivia’s father, moved to the U.S. from Jamaica when he was just 12 years old. He went on to become a software engineer and was also a middle-distance runner while studying at Stevens Institute of Technology. He got her into sports at a young age, starting her on soccer as soon as she was able to walk.
Yakubu helped her in sports when she was a child. According to Josh Weinfuss of ESPN, Olivia stated, “We would go out in the backyard for countless hours and just kick around or go to a field and shoot in the net, whatever it be.”.
“We were always together, always kicking around a soccer ball. Whenever you saw us together, there was always a ball, like, next to us,” she added.
Who Is Miles’ Brother, Isaiah Miles?
Olivia also has a younger brother named Isaiah Miles. He is a rising star in basketball and is currently a student at Notre Dame High School in Easton, Penn. As of early 2025, he’s in his sophomore year and part of the class of 2026.
Isaiah has stood out on the court. In the first 15 games of the 2024-2025 season, he averaged more than 16 points per game, helping his team achieve an impressive 11-4 record. He is active on Instagram under the username “@isaiah_miles25.”
His style of play features techniques influenced by basketball greats, like the scissor step and the signature crossovers of Allen Iverson. When he encounters tough opponents on the court, he frequently uses the Shammgod move to get past defenders.