Darius Miller '08 SF

[Coldstream]

http://media.scout.com/Media/Image/33/330985m.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:photos%28%29;)
Ht: 6-6 Wt: 185
Position: SF, PF
Year: Class of 2008
AAU Team: DI Greyhounds
High School: Mason Co HS (http://hskentucky.scout.com/)
(Maysville, KY)
2008 Scout.com HS Basketball Rankings (full list (http://scouthoops.scout.com/a.z?s=75&p=9&c=4&yr=2008&cfg=bb)):
Pos: SF
Pos Rank: #7
Pos Rating: http://media.scout.com/media/site_logo/rating.gif http://media.scout.com/media/site_logo/rating.gif http://media.scout.com/media/site_logo/rating.gif http://media.scout.com/media/site_logo/rating.gif
Scout.com Player Evaluation:
STRENGTHS
Athleticism
Length
Versatility
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT
Aggressive Scorer
Perimeter Shot
Secondary Handler

Young man has a great frame to work with and has shown through three seasons of high school and AAU ball to be a talent. We think he's capable of more and rank him high because of what he can become.

Biography: Miller is enjoying his stock rising to a high were many consider him to be the #1 prospect in the state of Kentucky for the 2008 Class. A player who can play the 3 or 4 spot, Miller is real athletic and shows very good rebounding skills. Plays with the D-I Greyhounds 16 under team.

http://scouthoops.scout.com/a.z?s=75&p=8&c=1&nid=2623771


Darius Miller Commits to UK!!!!! (http://blog.kentuckysportsradio.com/?p=3422)

by Matt Jones @ 9:13 am. Filed under Blue Blooded Opinions (http://blog.kentuckysportsradio.com/?cat=1)
http://blog.kentuckysportsradio.com/wp-content/uploads//2007/09/330985m.jpeg (http://blog.kentuckysportsradio.com/wp-content/uploads//2007/09/330985m.jpeg)
I got an email this morning from my man Etwnappel (who has always been the man on Darius) and I have just gotten off the phone with Darius…..more in a minute. Some quotes from Darius:
"I just got off the phone this morning with Coach Gillispie and told him I had committed. He seemed really excited."
"Yeah Coach Webster was a big part of it. He recruited me the most at Illinois and when he decided to come to Kentucky that really helped. He is a great guy and I like him a lot."
"Being in the state, I like the idea of playing close to home and for the school in state."
"Coach Gillispie congratulated me and just told mte that he hopes I continue working hard and he cant wait until I get to Lexington so he can make me better."

http://blog.kentuckysportsradio.com/?p=3422

[Coldstream]

Breaking News: Darius Miller commits to UK
http://media.scout.com/Media/Image/34/340666.jpg

By KSR Staff Report (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:location.href=%27http://search.scout.com/a.z?s=48&p=4&c=1&search=1&sskey=%22%27%20+%20escape%28%27KSR%20Staff%20Repor t%27%29%20+%20%27%22&sssiteid=48%27;)

Posted Sep 7, 2007

According to sources close to the Miller family, 6-foot-6 swing forward Darius Miller has committed to the University of Kentucky this morning. Miller is rated as Scout.com's # 35 prospect in the 2008 class.

Stay tuned to Kentucky (http://kentucky.scout.com/) Sports Report for more on this breaking story as it develops.


Miller A Wildcat
http://vmedia.rivals.com/IMAGES/PROSPECT/PHOTO/DARIUSMILLER9_7200.JPG (http://kentucky.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=711244)by Jeff Drummond
Kentucky landed a huge verbal commitment on Friday morning when four-star Mason County swingman Darius Miller decided to end his recruitment. "Darius called Billy Gillispie this morning and told him that he wants to play for him at Kentucky," said the player's father, Brian Miller. [http://vmedia.rivals.com/uploads/8/4109.gifdetails (http://kentucky.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=711244)]

[freethrow]

Wow, this is great news. Looks like we are quickly heading back to the top where we will have as many quality players on the court and on our bench as the other power house programs have. Our chances of competing on the highest level are increasing rapidly. :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

[Coldstream]

hwDHRY03QfkiIs7qDV5QEA

[Coldstream]

eCNLF5F6-6Q

[Coldstream]

N1xSMo684aQ

[matt colvin]

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:


Coldstream, you do a great job! Thank you :widcat:

[JayB]

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:


Coldstream, you do a great job! Thank you :widcat:


Ill second that. I should really show my apreciation for him. Without you Coldstream I would seriously be clueless to anything thats going on :P

Ive seriously got 10+ emails trying to get me to go to a different board, like all of us posters are in some kind of a recruiting war er smthing I dunno :| But the information I get on this board is always great and I apreciate all who is involved with the upkeep and order of the board.

[Rockober]

I am really excited that UK signed this kid. I saw him play last year and he clearly stood out as the best player and athlete on the floor. He just needs to add a little weight and some muscle-and this kid could be special.

[ctab5]

I've had the pleasure of watching Darius play. I go to a local high school just a few miles down the road and he is good. That might be an understatement. I've seen him shoot the three ball and dunk over 6'9 guys. This is a huge pick up for UK

[WildcatRick]

Bluegrass boom

Before the official visits began last weekend, the news broke that Kentucky landed in-state four-star prospect Darius Miller (http://basketballrecruiting.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=2&pr_key=49898). In the best year for college prospects in the Bluegrass State since 2004, Kentucky was able to secure the top-50 prospect.

Miller is one of the three players from Kentucky ranked in the top 50 this year. Scotty Hopson (http://basketballrecruiting.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=2&pr_key=50129), a five-star recruit, is headed to Mississippi State. Bud Mackey (http://rivalshoops.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?pr_key=55083&sport=2), a highly ranked four-star guard, is bound for Indiana.

Miller said staying in state was important for him. Miller is the best in-state prospect to commit to the program since Rajon Rondo did in 2004.

"You would have to go a long way back to find three prospects coming out of Kentucky as talented as Hopson, Mackey and Miller," Rivals.com National Recruiting Analyst Jerry Meyer said. "It would have been a shame for Kentucky to have missed out on all three. I think it was very important that Gillispie get at least one of them."

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/recruiting/basketball/national/2007-09-12-basketball.htm

[Coldstream]

Miller on the Wildcats

http://www.courier-journal.com/blogs/demling/uploaded_images/Darius-Miller1-761380.JPG (http://www.courier-journal.com/blogs/demling/uploaded_images/Darius-Miller1-761881.JPG)Mason County High School standout Darius Miller has already committed to the University of Kentucky and will sign with the Wildcats next week.

The 6-foot-6 Miller watched his future teammates lose on Wednesday to Gardner-Webb and said he knows the Wildcats will take a few hits for the loss.

But Miller said he still believes in this year's team.

"I think they'll be just fine," Miller said. "It's the beginning of the season and they're playing with a new coach and a new system. I think by the end of the year they'll be fine."

Miller did have a smile on his face when I asked that "when you watched did it get you excited because you saw they really needed you?"

"They'll be fine but it does make me excited to get there a lot," Miller said.
Linky (http://www.courier-journal.com/blogs/demling/2007/11/mason-county-high-school-standout.html#comments)

[Coldstream]

Check out: Darius Miller

http://www.courier-journal.com/blogs/demling/uploaded_images/Darius-Miller-783565.jpg (http://www.courier-journal.com/blogs/demling/uploaded_images/Darius-Miller-783570.jpg)One of the best high school teams in the state this season - Mason County - will also draw some of the largest crowds because of its star - Darius Miller.

The University of Kentucky commitment is the likely Kentucky Mr. Basketball winner and will get plenty of chances to strut his stuff on the state scene.

Mason County opens its season in the Commodore Classic at Tates Creek and will also play in a one-day event in Pikeville in December before going to a tournament in Hawaii.

Later in the season, the Royals will visit Lexington Catholic (twice), play defending state champion Scott County at home and will play in a one-day event at Montgomery County.

Miller will be a high-profile player on the state's center stage.

Here's the entire Mason County schedule:
Nov. 30-Dec. 1: Commodore Classic at Tates Creek
Dec. 7: Covington Catholic
Dec. 14: Cov. Scott
Dec. 15: Nashville Christ Presbyterian at East Ky. Expo Center in Pikeville
Dec. 17-22: at Iolani Prep Classic in Honolulu, Hawaii
Dec. 26-30: Lexington Catholic holiday tournament
Jan. 1-5: Mason County Invitational Tournament
Jan. 11: Scott County
Jan. 12: Nissan Shootout at Lexington Catholic (opponent TBA)
Jan. 15: Campbell County
Jan. 18: at Lexington Catholic
Jan. 19: Kentucky Prep Classic at Montgomery Co. (opponent TBA)
Jan. 25: Henry Clay
Feb. 1: at Rowan County
Feb. 2: at Madison Central
Feb. 5: at Montgomery County
Feb. 8: Clark County
Feb. 12: Elliott County
Feb. 15: at Harrison County
Feb. 22: Bryan Station

Linky (http://www.courier-journal.com/blogs/demling/2007/10/check-out-darius-miller.html)

[Coldstream]

Every article associated with Darius can be found here (Jody Dremling).

http://www.courier-journal.com/blogs/demling/labels/Darius%20Miller.html (http://www.courier-journal.com/blogs/demling/labels/Darius%20Miller.html)

[Adolph Rollingover]

Has Miller or Singleton signed? If not, has either said when they will?

[Coldstream]

Has Miller or Singleton signed? If not, has either said when they will?
Darius is verbal commitment and will sign in the November signing period. Singleton has not verbally committed but will announce and sign on Wednesday at 2:45 PM EST.

[Rockober]

http://www.topix.net/content/kri/2007/11/



the night before his 14th birthday, a bright-eyed, gangly Darius Miller stepped onto the Rupp Arena court in the heat of the Sweet Sixteen finals.

A precocious eighth-grader, he came off the bench in the second half for defending state champion Mason County and played with poise beyond his years against Warren Central.

In the closing minutes, Miller swished a three-pointer to help fuel a Royals rally.

Alas, it wasn't enough. Warren Central prevailed 66-56, denying Mason County and its star, Chris Lofton, another state title.

Four basketball seasons later, it's easy to point to Miller's 10-minute appearance in that championship game in front of 16,500 fans as the first indication he was destined to be a great player.

Not so, according to his father, Brian Miller.

'I knew it before that,' he said. 'I knew it when Darius was in the sixth grade and he'd play in pickup games against me and other guys a lot older than him.

'He was never scared, never backed down. He really competed against us. That was his defining moment. I knew then he was going to be special.'

Now a long, lean 6-foot-6, 218-pound senior at Mason County, Miller carries himself with quiet confidence, but arrogance is a complete stranger.

Most high school stars in his sneakers would have outsized egos. He's rated among the top 35 players in the nation. He just signed with the University of Kentucky. He's an overwhelming favorite to win Mr. Basketball honors. And his Royals are ranked No. 1 in the pre-season.

But Miller seeks no publicity. He seems a tad uncomfortable with all the attention, although he says he got a kick out of chatting up such coaching luminaries as Billy Donovan, Billy Gillispie and Rick Pitino when they were wooing him. 'I was overwhelmed with the recruiting at first, but I got used to it, and it got to be fun talking to them all,' he said.

[FanatiCat]

Ive been reading that Miller is 6'8 now. Will he continue to be a SF or play PF in a thin frontcourt?

[freethrow]

I haven't read an article yet but I saw on another site where Miller had 41 tonight and Hopson had 17.

[matt57]

Ive been reading that Miller is 6'8 now. Will he continue to be a SF or play PF in a thin frontcourt?

SF all the way. he is way too talented slashing and attacking to use him down low. i think stewart will be used in that role to allow miller to attack from the wing. i know it's way too early but, i'm really liking next year's potential line up.

jasper/liggins
meeks/legion
miller/harris
stewart/coury
patterson/stevenson

[wildcatcrazy]

From someone that watches him regularly, I would agree. Darius is a three all day--and a good one--and getting better.

While perhaps an unfair comparision, I believe he could be better than Harris right now!

[JayB]

Can't be too hard. :) We haven't seen much from him yet. I'm hoping tho :)

[Coldstream]

Miller enjoyed the exchange, then gave the Colonels on the floor what they didn't want. His 24 points, eight rebounds and five assists more than helped the Royals to a 66-56 victory.

"It's my senior year," Miller said. "So I'm just trying to do with them like they do with us."

Miller, a UK signee, also had three steals and two blocks. He said that is as satisfying as the scoring. "If they don't score, then they don't win," Miller said.



Link: Darius Miller (http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071208/SPT0302/712080441/1068/SPT)

[WildcatFever]

By seasons end D-Miller will easily be a top 15 recruit! Hes going to tear up the floor along with Patterson, and liggins next year!

[ukwildcatfan33]

http://www.o2designz.com/forum/uploads/U443-1200719098.jpg

Darius Miller Buzzer Beater
DOWNLOAD (http://www.sendspace.com/file/pg77h3)

YOUTUBE
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Kpg6pbPOYn0

[CatClaws1]

I watched this live. It was great to see, he didn't have the best game but he came through in the clutch when his team needed him.

[Tom Blevins]

I saw the shot, too. I watched the first half of the game and then was switching between the 2nd half and Moonlight. From what I saw, both teams truly deserved to win and it's a shame only one of them could. the thing that impressed me about Miller is that when his shots weren't falling, he worked hard and played team basketball. On the last possession, he made sure he was in position to receive the ball where he could take it to the basket. there was some trime pressure there, and Miller (and his team) were cool under pressure. It was a great finish to a great game!

[poodoo]

the thing that impressed me about Miller is that when his shots weren't falling, he worked hard and played team basketball.

Ironically, Tom, that is EXACTLY how Coach Gillispie says he wants his UK players to respond when their shots are not falling. :)

[Will Lavender]

Small thing, but I loved how Miller celebrated for about two seconds, then proceeded to shake the hands of the other team. Nice to see a kid who doesn't act like he conquered the world because of hitting a shot in a high school basketball game.

[cosmonaut]

I can't wait for this guy to put on the REAL blue and white uniforms

[dwarfdorin]

The best thing about Darius is, not only is he an excellent basketball player with basketball IQ, he is a Kentucky kid, which I think means that much more to him once he puts the uniform on in October.

:widcat::widcat: Go CATS!!!

[matt colvin]

827vqflkDWw

[cosmonaut]

Interesting jump shot...

[matt colvin]

Another video, which has not been posted before.

http://www.hoopsreport.com/news/areastatereport/areareportkentuckymidseasonplayerrankings

It's currently on the right hand side. If someone knows how to embed this or anything better than the current option, please do so.

[LiveBlue]

Another video, which has not been posted before.

http://www.hoopsreport.com/news/areastatereport/areareportkentuckymidseasonplayerrankings

It's currently on the right hand side. If someone knows how to embed this or anything better than the current option, please do so.

I thought it was an interesting note that the site in that link has Darius Miller ranked higher than Scotty Hopson, whereas most other recruiting site have Hopson ahead of him. I know rankings don't mean much, but I just thought it was an interesting tidbit.

I can't wait for Darius to get on campus!

[jtclarkUK]

that's the first time I've seen a video of him! it looks as though he can do a lot on offense. can dribble, can shot, can pass. looks like he does it all. i can't wait until he gets here!

[Tom Blevins]

Rise magazine has named Darius Miller the 2007-08 Gatorade Kentucky Player of the Year! Congratulations Darius, on winning that award, and especially on your team winning the state championship. I'm looking forward to you playing for the Cats next season.

[Coldstream]

Royals add a crown
Future Wildcat Miller named tourney MVP

By Mark Maloney
mmaloney@herald-leader.com
http://media.kentucky.com/smedia/2008/03/22/21/290-0323D8TowelTwirl.embedded.prod_affiliate.79.jpg (http://media.kentucky.com/smedia/2008/03/22/21/425-0323D8TowelTwirl.standalone.prod_affiliate.79.jpg)
Mark Cornelison | Staff
Mason County's Darius Miller was named MVP of the state tournament after scoring 24 points and grabbing eight rebounds in the championship game. Miller was 10-for-13 from the free-throw line. Photo by Mark Cornelison | Staff


With the 92nd National City Boys’ State Tournament on the line, Mason County turned to its leader.
Darius Miller, the 6-foot-7 University of Kentucky signee, didn’t let his teammates down.

Scoring 19 of his 24 points in the second half Saturday night, Miller carried the Royals to a 57-48 victory over Holmes, cheered by a Rupp Arena crowd of 17,663 that included Miller’s future coach, Billy Gillispie.

“It feels great,” said Miller, who turned 18 a day earlier. “We dreamed about this since we were little. We’ve played with each other since the fourth grade. This is a fabulous feeling. I’ve never felt anything like this.”

Named the tourney MVP, Miller made seven of 11 field-goal tries in the finals and 10 of 13 free throws. He helped Mason to a 37-23 domination of rebounds, sharing the team lead (8) with Trevor Setty.

“He’s had it in his heart and in his mind all year long that this is what he wanted to do,” Coach Chris O’Hearn said.
Not that Miller was all the Royals needed.

“I was struggling to make shots the first half, but they kept faith in me and kept feeding me the ball,” Miller said. “I had all the faith in the world in them. They came in, they stepped up and kept us in the game in the first half. I just tried to take over the second.”

Russ Middleton added 13 points, seven in the first half. Keith Downing, averaging 3.1 points, also scored seven in the first half and finished with 10. Setty had six points and two steals. Ethan King added two points, four rebounds, two assists and two blocks before fouling out in the final minute.

http://www.kentucky.com/275/story/354877.html

[Coldstream]

Miller leads Mason County to title

http://www.courier-journal.com/blogs/demling/uploaded_images/Darius-Miller-net-777158.JPG (http://www.courier-journal.com/blogs/demling/uploaded_images/Darius-Miller-net-777225.JPG)University of Kentucky signee Darius Miller was named Sweet 16 MVP on Saturday night as he led the Royals to the school's second state championship.

Miller (photo) had 24 points and eight rebounds, including 19 points in the second half, as the Royals beat Covington Holmes 57-48 in the title game.

"He's a big-time player and he stepped up when we needed him," Mason County coach Chris O'Hearn said. "We demanded that it go to him in the low post because they were playing him one-on-one. It had to go to him down low. He was the man in the post."

In four Sweet 16 games, Miller had a tournament-high 77 points. He also led with 34 rebounds and eight assists, eight blocks and six steals in the event.

UK coach Billy Gillispie was in the end zone and watching Miller during his final three games of the event. Gillispie went onto the court towards the end of the Mason County celebration and gave Miller and his parents a hug.

"He's a champion," Gillispie said. "They are state champions and worked very hard to do that. This is his time. He needs to relish and enjoy his time now."

Gillispie said he enjoyed his first experience at the Sweet 16.

"It's a great atmosphere," said Gillispie. "You see why everyone wants to be playing in the Sweet 16 if they live in the state of Kentucky. They do a first class job here. The teams all played very, very, very well. There are so many great coaches, great players and great teams. It couldn't be any better than this."

Gillispie was joined last night by freshman Patrick Patterson and a number of other UK players, including Joe Crawford, Jodie Meeks and Ramel Bradley, showed up at halftime.

Plenty more tomorrow on the Sweet 16.Labels: Darius Miller (http://www.courier-journal.com/blogs/demling/labels/Darius%20Miller.html)

[Coldstream]

Miller picked for All-Star game

University of Kentucky signee Darius Miller of Mason County has been selected to participate in the Charm City Challenge All-Star event on April 6 in Baltimore, Maryland.

See a video of Miller in the Boy's Sweet 16 here. (http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080322/VIDEO02/80322015/1078)

Miller, who was named MVP after helping the Royals win the state title last weekend, will use the event as one of his two All-Star games he can play in prior to the end of the school year.

In the event, Miller will play for the U.S. team against a team of Baltimore All-Stars. There is also a City vs. County game in the event that begins at 3 o'clock at the Towson Center.

Among those playing on the U.S. team will be former Oregon State commitment Chris Turner, who recently re-opened his recruitment and visited a UK game. Also on the team will be Syracuse signees Mookie Jones and Kris Joseph and Pittsburgh signee Nasir Robinson.

Miller is also expected to participate in the Derby Festival All-Star game on April 20 at Freedom Hall. Rosters for that game should be announced soon.Labels: Darius Miller (http://www.courier-journal.com/blogs/demling/labels/Darius%20Miller.html)

[freethrow]

For Miller, state title was his top priority
By Mike Fields
MFIELDS@HERALD-LEADER.COM

On a Sunday afternoon five months ago, Darius Miller was posing for pictures in an old gym in downtown Maysville.

It was only a few days before the Mason County basketball star would sign a letter of intent with the University of Kentucky.

But Miller didn't want to talk about himself. He wanted to talk about how he wanted to lead the Royals to the Sweet Sixteen title and wasn't concerned about personal glory.

"It'd be fun to win Mr. Basketball," he said, "but I'm focused on winning the state championship."

Miller's focus turned out to be razor sharp.

Mason County lived up to its pre-season No. 1 ranking by winning the state title, and Miller lived up to his pre-season billing as the state's best player. The 6-foot-7 senior was chosen MVP of the Sweet Sixteen, and a few weeks later he won Mr. Basketball honors.

Miller was also the leading vote-getter in the Herald-Leader's survey of coaches for its All-State team. Miller, who was fourth in all-state balloting as a junior, received 48 first-place votes this year.

Shelvin Mack of Bryan Station was second, followed by Scotty Hopson of University Heights Academy.

Miller and Bud Mackey of Scott County were the only juniors to make first-team all-state last April. Jon Hood of Madisonville has that honor this year.

Champ Ligon of Bryan Station was voted Coach of the Year in overwhelming fashion.

Ligon received 38 first-place votes. David Henley, who guided Holmes to a state runner-up finish, was second with eight votes.

Ligon, who rebuilt Bryan Station's program into a state power over the last few years, was fired last spring. However, he was reinstated a few weeks later.

Ligon led the Defenders to a 30-3 record this season. They had a school-record 21-game winning streak during one stretch. Bryan Station lost to Lexington Catholic in the 11th Region finals.

http://www.kentucky.com/276/story/374851.html