‘If you need me to score, I can score’
Morgan Park junior guard Miller a clutch performer, but puts new plan in motion
Morgan Park’s Adam Miller could have pointed to any number of remarkable performances as his most memorable moment of the season.
Take, for instance, his recordsetting output at the Rich South Big Dipper Tournament. The 6-foot-3 junior guard piled up a tourney-record 131 points, including a 48-point eruption against Bowen. He also scored 45 points against Romeoville.
Miller, however, picked a different moment. One of adversity. One that didn’t provide much joy — at least not yet. And one he hopes will drive him to even greater heights.
“The loss to Bogan,” Miller said. “It was a hurtful loss. But that’s what’s going to motivate me even more to pickmy team up for next season.”
That 85-78 loss to Bogan came in the Class 3A St. Laurence Sectional championship game and denied the Mustangs (29-5) the chance of winning a third straight state title.
Miller, the 2018-19 Daily Southtown Boys Basketball Player of the Year, did his part. He scored 28 points in defeat. It was another excellent effort in a season that saw him average 26.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 5.4 assists.
Even more impressive, when the Mustangs needed a basket in crunch time, Miller seemingly delivered time and time again.
Morgan Park coach Nick Irvin wasn’t surprised by Miller’s suc- cess.
“Not at all,” Irvin said. “Adam’s big time. He’s anincredible talent. He hit so many big shots. He’s a self-motivating kid. You literally have to turn off thegymlights and lock the door to stop him from working.”
Miller kept the gym door closed one day — after the Bogan loss — before getting back to work.
“It’s always good to take a day off and kind of look at life,” he said. “I was able to spend time with my family and friends and accept this time from God that I didn’t expect to have. But after one day, I was back to doing two-a-dayworkouts.”
Anyone who watched Miller play this season isn’t surprised he has 19 scholarship offers. Most of the Big Ten, as well as UCLA and
Louisville, have offered. More are sure to follow. “At the end of the summer, I’ll look at everything and lower the number of teams I’m interested in,” Miller said.
When asked if he has a preference to a particular school, conference or weather conditions, he said, “Where I best fit and where I have the best chance to help the team win and get to the league (NBA) are most important.”
A big asset for Miller is his ability to .play both point guard and shooting guard.
He has unlimited shooting range and the confidence to make any shot. He’s also a deft passer and playmaker.
“I’m 6-3 and that’s not that big in college to play the two,” he said. “I think I’m better suited for point guard, but I can play the two. If you need me to score, I can score.
“I know I have to work on my point guard skills, and that’s what I’m going to mainly focus on moving forward.”
Miller already is looking forward to next season. He intends on leading the Mustangs back to winning the 3A state championship.
“It’s going to be my senior year,” he said. “I’m not going to let anybody take that achievement (state title) away fromme.
“I’m going tomake sure my teammates play their hardest, we listen to the coaches and for me to be the best me that I can be. And through that, I hope to be a better man and be ready for what’s next.”