This weekend Justin Miller averaged 11 Points, 13 boards, 3.5 assists, and a steal per game as 22 Feet Academy went 2-0. A mark that was keyed by Miller’s clutch play. But this stat line, or his production, shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone that knows him…
What a difference a year makes. Last season, Justin Miller played on the Adidas Gaultlet with the Hoop Dreams program. This was directly after he won the MVP of the Kentucky High School Sweet 16 Basketball tournament at Owensboro High School. Yet, Miller took his only D1 offer, Coppin State.
Though all of this spotlight and production and accolades won, Miller was not getting any college interest. This was due in large part (no pun intended) to the fact that the 6’7” power forward tipped the scales at 300 pounds.
Fast forward through the summer. Fast forward through the Fall workout period. Let’s start at the Phenom National Showcase, with a showdown against the nation’s number 1 overall team in the country. Miller stepped onto the court weighing in at a svelte 240 pounds. This was 22 Feet Academy’s second game in as many days. The previous night Miller went for 8 points, 13 boards, and 3 assists. A performance that opened eyes, but didn’t really stand out due to what some team mates were doing.
However, this day was meant to be Miller’s. With three (3) minutes to go, 22 Feet Academy had stormed back from being down 18 at half time to bring the game within 3 points. Maybe it has to do with the last name, but this was now “Miller Time”. Justin Miller grabbed 5 boards, scored 5 points, and assisted on 2 plays in those final three (3) minutes to secure the upset.
Sure, it wasn’t just Miller that won the game. Mississippi State signee Eli Wright was dominant in the second half. 6’7” unsigned senior Darius Hicks secured the paint and protected the rim defensively. Clifton Powell and Jordan Bowden played suffocating defense to create turnovers. But with the entire team playing their best, it was 6’7” Justin Miller that closed out the game.
Miller, a former commitment to Coppin St, is still being over looked. He currently has offers from Coppin State, South Carolina State, and Eastern Kentucky. After dropping the weight, Miller is a new person. Still skilled, he’s very productive from the high post. He is a player that MEAC, Southern Conference, Sun Belt, Big South teams should look at in the late signing period.