On the court docket, Vyctorius “VJ” Miller thrives at assessing his choices and making the precise decisions based mostly on what’s in entrance of him. It’s a talent that’s proving helpful for him off the court docket as nicely.
After we spoke by cellphone in early November, Miller was within the means of finalizing a call on the place he’d play his senior yr of highschool ball. He starred at Crean Lutheran (CA) Excessive as a sophomore, then transferred to AZ Compass Prep, the place he confirmed out as a junior final season. The Southern California native was anticipated to be again at Crean Lutheran for his closing season, however at press time, he was nonetheless weighing his choices—together with a doable return to Compass Prep.
Wherever he ends up this winter, Miller will take his place as one of many prime prospects within the class of 2024. And that brings us to his different large pending choice. After we spoke in November, the 6-5, 180-pound combo guard had formally narrowed the choices for his post-high college vacation spot and as of November of final yr, formally dedicated to Oregon.
“Wherever I am going can be some-where I can play as a freshman, and the place the teaching workers will embrace me,” he had instructed SLAM.
Any teaching workers in its proper thoughts can be blissful to welcome Miller, who has used his size, imaginative and prescient, versatility and athleticism to substantiate a spot as a nationwide top-50 recruit within the ’24 class. Requested to evaluate his strengths, he says, “I undoubtedly consider myself as a degree guard, so I’d say my passing skill, plus I’m a three-level scorer and I can rating at will. I’m additionally only a good particular person to be round.” So far as areas of enchancment, he’s nonetheless engaged on making the soar from stable defender to “lockdown defender, as a result of I do know that’s what retains you on the court docket.”
Genetics helped get Miller on the court docket within the first place, as hoop expertise runs within the household. His dad, Vyshonn Miller, higher generally known as ’90s No Restrict Data standout Silkk the Shocker, was a stable hooper again within the day, whereas his uncle Percy “Grasp P” Miller, famously acquired an NBA tryout not lengthy after he constructed No Restrict right into a southern rap dynasty. He’s additionally seen cousins Romeo, Hercy and Mercy Miller climb the prep hoops ladder and make it to the school ranks, so he understands higher than most the challenges and alternatives in entrance of him.
No matter benefits he might need loved given his well-known household, Miller comes off like a dude who’s centered on incomes his spot—and leaving little doubt that he deserves it. “Not gonna lie, I really feel like I’ve been extra locked on this yr than ever,” he says. “I’m beginning to have that feeling like a chip on my shoulder once more, as a result of I’m a type of guys that’s gotta present individuals who I’m.” Requested to make clear—does he really feel like he merely must remind individuals how good he’s, or that he’s nonetheless making an attempt to show he even belongs among the many finest prospects within the nation?—Miller is blunt. “It’s undoubtedly the primary one,” he says. “Individuals know I’m like that, however not essentially day in and time out.”
He’ll have his likelihood to remind them quickly sufficient. Though he didn’t but have his senior yr vacation spot nailed down once we spoke—presumably that’ll be confirmed by the point you learn this—Miller did have a brief, clear listing of targets to test off earlier than he wraps a stellar highschool profession. “I’m undoubtedly making an attempt to be an All-American, and simply dominate, actually,” he says. “That, and simply attempt to develop into a greater particular person on and off the court docket.”
Photographs by: Atiba Jefferson