Shonn Miller
Senior F
6-7, 210
Background:
Shonn Miller was a very good high school player in his native Ohio before a late injury robbed him of some playing time and, likely, much attention in recruiting circles. He wound up at Cornell where he excelled immediately.
Miller won the Ivy League Rookie of the Year award and set school records for rebounds (170) and blocks (46) by a freshman. He continued to impress during his sophomore campaign, earning a spot on the first-team All-Ivy squad.
Unfortunately for Miller and Cornell, a late-season shoulder injury would cost Miller his final four games that year and force him to miss his entire junior season. Keep this in mind for later.
Last Year:
Back in action after his year of recovery, Miller was a monster in Ivy League play. Miller played in all 30 of Cornell’s games and led the team in scoring (16.8), rebounding (8.5), blocks (1.8) and even steals (1.3). He was also the team’s best free-throw shooter, knocking down 83.4 percent of his attempts from the foul line.
Miller’s dominant season earned him his second appearance on the first-team All-Ivy team, but he didn’t experience much team success. Cornell finished the season at 13-17.
Now back to that missed junior year.
Ivy League rules forbid graduate students from participating. Miller, an academic senior, graduated Cornell in May, leaving him a man without a country.
What to Expect:
Enter UConn.
Miller came to visit UConn last spring, spending most of the time bonding with teammates, and announced in short order that he would play his last collegiate season in Storrs.
For Miller, the familial atmosphere and like-minded teammates made UConn a comfortable place to play. For the Huskies, Miller was the exact piece they needed to solidify a front-court that had its share of ups and downs a year ago.
Miller should slide immediately into the power forward position, and take on the role of the team’s best rebounder. Playing alongside Amida Brimah, Miller will be tasked with covering the glass when the big man flies out towards the foul line for blocked shot attempts. Miller has the physicality to handle bigger opponents in the post, and the athleticism to stay in front of athletic wings on the perimeter.
On offense, Miller will provide an inside scoring option that UConn sorely missed last season. Miller is capable of stepping outside and knocking down jumpers (27 percent on 104 three-point attempts last year), but his main duties will be finishing easy buckets and extending UConn’s offensive possessions.
In an added bonus, Miller will likely be the Huskies’ best free-throw shooter as well.
Guess at stats:
| 27 MPG | 48% FG | 33% 3P | 7.9 REB | 0.9 BLK | 9.3 PTS |
Follow Shonn Miller on twitter:@Smiller_32
Cant wait to see this guy play. When he needs a breather, or if he catches a couple early fouls, we can slot in Facey or Nolan for backup duty.
I am LOVING the depth on this time this year.
Solid backups at every position, so the drop off in talent wont be too extreme.
LGH!
[…] his incredible shot-blocking talents. Luckily for Brimah, the addition of fifth-year senior Shonn Miller should take some of the rebounding pressure off the big man and free him up to take chances at […]