Sharpshooter Miller returns to Grizzlies

MEMPHIS (Tennessee): Mike Miller, a guard who helped the Miami Heat win the last two NBA titles, has signed to play next season for the Memphis Grizzlies, where he spent six years.

The free agent deal announced on Tuesday brings the long-range sharpshooter back to a club where he played from 2002 to 2008. He still owns eight club records.

“We are extraordinarily pleased to welcome Mike Miller back to Memphis,” Grizzlies chief executive officer Jason Levien said.

“Mike is a special figure in our community due to his contributions both on and off the court.

“Mike is an elite three-point shooter, as Grizzlies fans know first-hand, and we expect his shooting, playmaking, hustle and leadership to be a key component in our team competing with the best in the NBA next season.”

Miller spent the past three seasons with Miami, helping the team reach the NBA Finals each year. The Heat lost to Dallas but then beat Oklahoma City last year and San Antonio last month.

Miller averaged 4.8 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 59 games last season, making 17 starts for Miami.

After starting his career with Orlando, having been selected by the Magic with the fifth overall pick in the 2000 NBA Draft, Miller was traded to Memphis in 2003, then dealt to Minnesota in 2008. He spent one season with the Timberwolves and the next in Washington before joining Miami as a free agent three years ago.

Miller, 33, has career averages of 12.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 831 career NBA games.

He ranks 22nd in career NBA 3-pointers with 1,424 and 20th in all-time three-point shooting accuracy, hitting 40.6 percent from beyond the arc. — AFP Key player: Mike Miller, who spent the past three seasons with Miami Heat, will feature for Memphis Grizzlies next season. — AFP