If you want to win an NCAA title you usually need a good coach, a great resume…and a McDonald’s All-American. Only 3 championship teams since 1979 have not featured such a player (2002 Maryland/2014 UConn/2021 Baylor). The McDonald’s All-American Game has been canceled during each of the past 2 years due to COVID but hopefully the 3rd time is indeed the charm to see everyone back on the court in Chicago on March 29th. The rosters were announced on January 25th after selecting the 24 best high school basketball players in the nation from a list of almost 800 nominees. If you do not think these guys can make an immediate impact this fall just ask Coach Bruce Pearl how he likes having 2021 honoree Jabari Smith at Auburn! Duke seems to be the big winner so far as Coach Jon Scheyer will inherit a trio of 2022 honorees to join him in Durham next season. Earlier this week HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Brandon Miller about being named a McDonald’s All-American and the importance of community service.
Last March you led your undefeated Cane Ridge team to the Class AAA boys basketball state championship game before losing to Houston: where does that rank among the most devastating losses of your career? I would probably rank it #2 after the Peach Jam loss. Winning a state title remains 1 of my biggest goals.
You finished last year by being named Gatorade state POY after averaging 24.1 PPG/8.5 RPG/4.3 APG/2.3 SPG: how do you balance all of the different aspects of your game? I just work hard in the gym and try to get better every day at every practice.
Last summer your teammate Nick Smith Jr. scored 31 PTS/10-18 FG for the Brad Beal Elite AAU team in a 3-PT loss to Team Final in the Peach Jam finals: how close did you come to winning it all, and how do you feel about facing him in the SEC next year when he is at Arkansas? It was 1 of my toughest losses since it was my final year of AAU. Playing against Nick will be a dogfight: I played against him this year and it was a tough game because he had a very good team.
What has been the hardest part of being a high school basketball player during a pandemic? I did not have any problems but for kids who could not take college visits to see campuses in person it must have been tough.
You received offers from several great schools like Kansas/Tennessee and also considered going to the G League but committed to Alabama last November: what was the biggest factor in your decision? Just the bond between me and Coach Nate Oats and the rest of his coaching staff. I felt it would be the best choice for me and my family.
You grew up watching Alabama football and got to visit Tuscaloosa last September: what was it like to hear 100,000 fans chanting your name at Bryant-Denny Stadium? It was 1 of the greatest experiences of my life: I have never had so many people chanting my name before! It was nerve-racking but I will get used to it over time.
Last month you were named a McDonald’s All-American: what did it mean to you to receive such an outstanding honor? It means a lot to me: it was 1 of the biggest goals to scratch off my checklist. You do not know how to take it in at the time but I am getting better at it.
You are part of a great recruiting class thanks to the Tide bringing in another McDonald’s All-American next year in Jaden Bradley: how well do you know him, and what makes him such a great player? I talk to Jaden almost every day! We went out to dinner last weekend and will make a good duo at Alabama.
You are 6’8”: what position do you play now, and what position will you feel most comfortable at in college? I would call myself 6’9”! I would feel most comfortable at SF but I can rebound/push the ball up the court: I consider myself a positionless player.
You have spent a lot of time as a volunteer to help raise money for breast cancer research and feed the homeless: how much importance do you place on community service? I try to give back every day: my parents feel I give too much money sometimes but I feel that everyone should have the same things that I do.