Top international basketball prospect Baba Miller has committed to Florida State, he told ESPN on Monday.
“I could see real family at Florida State,” Miller said. “I saw a very close relationship between everyone. That was a big part of my decision.”
The 18-year-old, 6-foot-11 short Spanish forward is considered one of the top international prospects heading down the college route in the class of 2022. He chose Florida State over Gonzaga, visiting both schools last week with his father. .
“The style of play matches mine with my ability and the freedom they gave their players to make plays at any position,” Miller said. “I love the culture at Florida State. As soon as I arrived I could see the brotherhood they had in the team. They have a close relationship between players and coaches. I loved the good vibrations that reigned in the team.”
Miller, whose maternal grandparents are from the UK, grew up on the Mediterranean island of Mallorca, but spent his formative years playing for European powerhouse Real Madrid from the age of 12. Last summer, he won the prestigious Adidas Next Generation tournament with Real Madrid, considered arguably the best junior program on the continent, and then helped the Spanish U18 national team set an unbeaten FIBA European record. Challengers, finishing second in scoring and averaging 11.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 21 minutes, shooting 64% from 2 points and 50% for 3.
Miller has spent most of this season with Real Madrid’s B team in the EBA league, averaging 11.3 points and 5.3 rebounds in 24 minutes while shooting 69% from 2 points and 35 % for 3. He was surprisingly called up to the December senior squad and even made his Euroleague debut aged 17 in a match against CSKA Moscow due to a COVID-19 outbreak.
“There was a point in my career where I wanted to stay in Europe, but lately I decided 100% that I wanted to go to the United States to improve myself, especially physically and technically,” said Miller. “Europe is a place to compete, not to develop. In the United States, if you don’t play, you will develop in practices and individual sessions. It’s something you don’t usually do in Europe. It was not a very difficult decision for me.”
Miller grew as a guard, standing just 6-2 at age 14 before experiencing a late growth spurt that propelled him to 6-11, but he retained his perimeter skills. His size, combined with his 7-foot-2 wingspan, excellent 204-pound frame, and intriguing ability to handle, pass, and shoot from the outside give him exceptional versatility at both ends of the floor with significant potential for growth in his body. to fill.
Miller joins a Florida State team undergoing a significant transition, losing six scholarship players from last season’s team, including first-year NBA draft freshman John Butler, a potential second-round pick. . The Seminoles retained their two leading scorers, guard Caleb Mills and wing Matthew Cleveland, from a team that finished 10-10 in the ACC and 17-14 overall, missing the NCAA Tournament for the first time since. 2016.
In addition to Miller, the Seminoles are bringing in two talented big men in four-stars Cameron Corhen and De’Ante Green as part of the 2022 recruiting class, as well as four-star guard Chandler Jackson. Marksmanship winger Darin Green arrives via the NCAA transfer portal from UCF, along with two-time Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year Jaylan Gainey, a Brown center.
Miller will again represent the Spanish national team at the European U18 Championship in Izmir, Turkey in late July and early August, joining Florida State at the end of the tournament.
“Representing Spain last year was a great experience. We had a great coaching staff and great teammates. I had a great time playing for my country and winning the tournament last year. “
Jonathan Givony is an NBA draft expert and the founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analysis service used by NBA, NCAA and international teams.