Is Darius Miller Running Out Of Time?

[WildcatRick]

by Josh Dickson
KentuckySportsRadio

It's no secret by the way Billy Gillispie is recruiting Darius Miller, the new Big Blue Coach still sees a need at the wing foward position next season despite a recent commitment from DeAndre Liggins, who figures to be versatile enough to play at the 1, 2, or the 3 spot. Still it seems that Gillispie has not let up his recruitment of Miller, who is not just a Kentucky kid, but a true talent that could be an immediate help at the 3 spot no matter where he attends college. The recent questions about Miller are: 'How long is he going to wait before he makes his decision?' and/or 'Will there be a scholarship waiting for him at UK if he takes his time?' With Gillispie's recent success, the latter question is becoming more and more popular, Just how long is Gillispie prepared to wait for Darius Miller?

There is no question Gillispie continues to pursue Miller and obviously feels he is a priority. One would think that Gillispie not only wants Miller because of his Kentucky roots, but also because of his talents; However, if another highly rated WF were ready to pull the trigger for the 'Cats would Miller's offer no longer stand?

The young man in the photo is none other than Sylven Landesberg (Profile) (http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=48&p=8&c=1&nid=1974691&pg=2), a 6′ 6″ WF out of Holy Cross HS in Flushing, NY that is among the best in the 2008 class. According to Scout, Sylven has a 5 Star rating and is ranked as the 23rd best prospect overall while Rivals ranks him as a 4 Star prospect and the 45th best prospect in the class. Sylven has a long body and is an extremely gifted player. He has been praised for his Basketball IQ and ability to put up some big offensive numbers. While he may not be an extremely strong player at this juncture, his rebounding ability has made him a coveted wing in this class.

http://blog.kentuckysportsradio.com/?p=2860

[Will Lavender]

Yeah, it's pretty clear from Gillispie's recruiting that you better make your decision quickly or you'll be left behind to choke on the dust.

It's sort of a complete reversal of the recruiting strategy we've seen for the last few years, a strategy that let the kids dictate what was going to happen. Can't do that; because they're kids, they're indecisive. (Plus the fact that they've got forty coaches and advisors and their parents in their ears 24/7.)

But Gillispie's proactive tack is working wonderfully so far, and there's no reason it shouldn't with our tradition and the facilities we have at UK. Get on or goodbye.

[JayB]

Yeah, it's pretty clear from Gillispie's recruiting that you better make your decision quickly or you'll be left behind to choke on the dust.

It's sort of a complete reversal of the recruiting strategy we've seen for the last few years, a strategy that let the kids dictate what was going to happen. Can't do that; because they're kids, they're indecisive. (Plus the fact that they've got forty coaches and advisors and their parents in their ears 24/7.)

But Gillispie's proactive tack is working wonderfully so far, and there's no reason it shouldn't with our tradition and the facilities we have at UK. Get on or goodbye.


I agree totally. It's alot different than im used to, and I love it so far.

[Gunsmoke]

Miller is so coveted by our coach that no matter who commits Miller would still be welcomed until the ouija board completely exhausts itself of scenarios.

[RP_McMurphy]

If waits around then move on. I hope the days of Kentucky waiting and waiting on players is over. It is a privelage to wear the Kentucky Blue.

[countrycat]

If waits around then move on. I hope the days of Kentucky waiting and waiting on players is over. It is a privelage to wear the Kentucky Blue.

I totally agree with this.

[matt colvin]

Yes Darius, time is running out. You should commit TODAY! lol. But, seriously, how would it feel to have to sit and watch your state's team come back to its state of glory, knowing you could have participated in that yourself. It would feel like this :icon_redface:

[DCWildcat]

I really, really want Miller. We need a top-flight SF and I like Miller better than the rest of them, regardless of the fact that he's from Kentucky. Still, I'd (and and most other Cat fans, and probably Gillispie) be happy with any of our other "consolation prizes"-- Singleton, Landesberg, whoever--and so Miller better get moving if wants to be a part of this program.

[poodoo]

Miller is so coveted by our coach that no matter who commits Miller would still be welcomed until the ouija board completely exhausts itself of scenarios.

:icon_lol:. I SO LOVE your expressions, Gunsmoke.

Having said that, as fast as Coach Gillispie is getting commitments, I think matt colvin just might be right in suggesting that Miller commit TODAY. Miller should indeed ask himself if he wants to be left out of his homestate school's "return to glory" (and I did knock on wood, just in case :icon_lol:). Let's hope Mr. Miller "gets on the move" in committing to the Cats. GO CATS! GO BILLY G!

[SBCatMan]

I guess I really don't get it with Miller's waiting around.

OK, I understand it is a BIG decision for him or for any kid. It will not only impact the next few years of his life, but perhaps the rest of his life. I fully understand that and I can appreciate ANY kid wanting to be sure he makes the right decison.

At the same time, though, it is not like Miller wakes up one day and says, "hey ... you know ... I have got to decide where I am going to play college basketball." I mean, he knew this decision has been on the horizon for a long, long time.

Also, it is not like he is from Montana or South Dakota and is unfamiliar with Kentucky basketball. He is from Kentucky, so he knows what being a Wildcat is all about and he sees how fast scholarships are being gobbled up.

So, what can one conclude? Perhaps he truly does NOT know where he wants to go to school, but maybe he knows where he doesn't want to go -- for whatever reason. Maybe he wants to get away form home and see some other part of the country. If so, then that is his choice and I respect it. I just think that his hesitancy to grab one of the few remaining slots does not bode well for us.

[matt colvin]

I guess I really don't get it with Miller's waiting around.

OK, I understand it is a BIG decision for him or for any kid. It will not only impact the next few years of his life, but perhaps the rest of his life. I fully understand that and I can appreciate ANY kid wanting to be sure he makes the right decison.

At the same time, though, it is not like Miller wakes up one day and says, "hey ... you know ... I have got to decide where I am going to play college basketball." I mean, he knew this decision has been on the horizon for a long, long time.

Also, it is not like he is from Montana or South Dakota and is unfamiliar with Kentucky basketball. He is from Kentucky, so he knows what being a Wildcat is all about and he sees how fast scholarships are being gobbled up.

So, what can one conclude? Perhaps he truly does NOT know where he wants to go to school, but maybe he knows where he doesn't want to go -- for whatever reason. Maybe he wants to get away form home and see some other part of the country. If so, then that is his choice and I respect it. I just think that his hesitancy to grab one of the few remaining slots does not bode well for us.


well, I guess I assume it is something to do with the new coach... Maybe he just wants to see what Coach G will do on the court, who knows?

Hopefully Darius will realize this train is rolling with, or without him. Hopefully, it will be the former.

[Terry L. Wildcat]

well, I guess I assume it is something to do with the new coach... Maybe he just wants to see what Coach G will do on the court, who knows?

Hopefully Darius will realize this train is rolling with, or without him. Hopefully, it will be the former.

With no offense meant to Darius, we will win number eight with/without him but I sure wish he would come on down.

[DCWildcat]

Has Miller taken any official visits yet? I haven't heard any, and I can't blame him if he hasn't seen any of the campuses.

[Craig the Blueheart]

I guess I really don't get it with Miller's waiting around.

OK, I understand it is a BIG decision for him or for any kid. It will not only impact the next few years of his life, but perhaps the rest of his life. I fully understand that and I can appreciate ANY kid wanting to be sure he makes the right decison.

At the same time, though, it is not like Miller wakes up one day and says, "hey ... you know ... I have got to decide where I am going to play college basketball." I mean, he knew this decision has been on the horizon for a long, long time.

Also, it is not like he is from Montana or South Dakota and is unfamiliar with Kentucky basketball. He is from Kentucky, so he knows what being a Wildcat is all about and he sees how fast scholarships are being gobbled up.

So, what can one conclude? Perhaps he truly does NOT know where he wants to go to school, but maybe he knows where he doesn't want to go -- for whatever reason. Maybe he wants to get away form home and see some other part of the country. If so, then that is his choice and I respect it. I just think that his hesitancy to grab one of the few remaining slots does not bode well for us.


It is a big decision, but I have said this a few times on this board: Wherever the kid goes he will get a good education, a good coach and a good program. He doesn't exactly have the Sisters of the Poor lined up at his door... these are all good programs, and no matter where he goes, he will be just fine for the next few years and for the rest of his life. In other words, I think we give too much credit to the way things will play out for these kids.

[crazzedcats22]

If waits around then move on. I hope the days of Kentucky waiting and waiting on players is over. It is a privelage to wear the Kentucky Blue.


He has already been offered and is still waiting around. His dad has been quoted as saying that they are going to go through the whole recruiting process, official visits, etc....much like it sounds like Zeller is doing as well.

[wildcatcrazy]

I do not disagree with the premise that time (or more correctly said scholarships) may be running out for Darius.

It is my hope that he will commit to UK very soon--but there are no indications that will happen.

I do not think it is fair to simplify things to the point of "UK has offered so if he doesn't take it immediately, he doesn't REALLY want to come to UK."

As with most things, it is not that simple. We, as UK fans, would fall all over ourselves to sit on the bench at UK so we find it hard to understand sometimes why EVERYONE (much less a Kentucky boy) wouldn't jump at the chance.

Fair enough for us---but we are not an elite basketball player like Darius.

Let me assure you, Darius and his family are GREAT people and will do what they think is right for Darius. That is all they can do for their child. I hope the choice is UK--and UK soon--but I'll support Darius whereever he goes--and still support the Cats'--just like I've done with Chris Lofton.

[Terry L. Wildcat]

I do not disagree with the premise that time (or more correctly said scholarships) may be running out for Darius.

It is my hope that he will commit to UK very soon--but there are no indications that will happen.

I do not think it is fair to simplify things to the point of "UK has offered so if he doesn't take it immediately, he doesn't REALLY want to come to UK."

As with most things, it is not that simple. We, as UK fans, would fall all over ourselves to sit on the bench at UK so we find it hard to understand sometimes why EVERYONE (much less a Kentucky boy) wouldn't jump at the chance.

Fair enough for us---but we are not an elite basketball player like Darius.

Let me assure you, Darius and his family are GREAT people and will do what they think is right for Darius. That is all they can do for their child. I hope the choice is UK--and UK soon--but I'll support Darius whereever he goes--and still support the Cats'--just like I've done with Chris Lofton.

:thumbup: Excellent post

[UKfaninCO]

I do not disagree with the premise that time (or more correctly said scholarships) may be running out for Darius.

It is my hope that he will commit to UK very soon--but there are no indications that will happen.

I do not think it is fair to simplify things to the point of "UK has offered so if he doesn't take it immediately, he doesn't REALLY want to come to UK."

As with most things, it is not that simple. We, as UK fans, would fall all over ourselves to sit on the bench at UK so we find it hard to understand sometimes why EVERYONE (much less a Kentucky boy) wouldn't jump at the chance.

Fair enough for us---but we are not an elite basketball player like Darius.

Let me assure you, Darius and his family are GREAT people and will do what they think is right for Darius. That is all they can do for their child. I hope the choice is UK--and UK soon--but I'll support Darius whereever he goes--and still support the Cats'--just like I've done with Chris Lofton.

While I agree with your sentiment, and I always hope to get the best of the in-State talent on the UK team, unfortunately, the logistics may be such that Darius never wears a UK uniform. With essentially 2 scholarships left (that we know of), and 20 offers out there (that we know of), it may simply come down to who takes it first. There are lot of real quality kids being offered and some of them want to make the decision quickly to get it over with and focus on other things, while others want to take their time and get the most out of the process. Nothing wrong with either way. I applaud the Miller's for their studious management of the process and wish all parents were as involved in their children's lives. But when it comes down to making the decision for them, the fact is that there may be no scholarship left for him.

Having absolutely no insight into the process, there may be some magic that can be worked to come up with an additional one should the Miller's decide that they'd like to come to UK at the end of their process. If it can be done, I believe it should be done. I would hate for them to be lost to a rival school because we had no scholarships left to give. I think in years to come, this is going to be more the rule than the exception, and those kids that want to play at Kentucky will need to decide quickly or play somewhere else.

[wildcatcrazy]

Very well said--the ball is in Darius' court.

He may not be ready to commit in time to get one of the scholarships and it may well come back to bight us in the tail--because the kid can play.

I suspect--but have no evidence--that Darius may be given the right of first refusal---that is, the last shot at taking the scholarship before it is given elsewhere. That may or may not happen but, in the end, I believe even the Miller family will tell you that Gillespie has done a great job and laid it all on the line for Darius.

[DCWildcat]

:thumbup: Excellent post

I agree.

[poodoo]

:thumbup: Excellent post

I likewise agree. :thumbup: :thumbup:, wildcatcrazy.

[Gunsmoke]

I want Darius Miller to commit very badly and to do it soon. I also want Rotnei Clark to do the same. That being said I cannot agree with whatever it is that I do not know about the thinking of the Miller camp. We are striking gold left and right. Rides are running out. Coach has kissed his tail enough that Miller's lips have swelled. His parents are old time Blue fans. Yet he won't pull the trigger. Is he waiting for a better offer? If so, who? If he is then mark us off the list and move on. If he isn't then get on with the business now and stop this unnecessary BS. Just my humble thoughts induced by Bud Light.