Quincy Miller learned a lesson from an embarrassing on-court experience: Don’t rag on a teammate.
After laughing and joking about a teammate missing a dunk, Miller, a 6-foot-9-inch forward who was then playing for the Denver Nuggets, missed one of his own the next game. “That was probably the most embarrassing moment ever,” said Miller, now with the Sacramento Kings.
During his basketball career Miller has laughed and cried.
Growing up with 13 siblings, Miller’s older sister died at age 17 in a car accident and other family members have died including his grandmother, Viola.
“My grandmother and my mother used to always take me to church,” said Miller, who credits Viola with leading him to Christ.
“I stay strong in faith and God led me through,” he said of personal setbacks he’s endured. Growing up in North Chicago, Ill., Miller moved to North Carolina for high school.
Named the No. 2 high school prospect in the nation behind Anthony Davis, now a New Orleans Pelicans power forward, Miller played his freshman year at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, leading the Bears to a 17–0 start in 2011–12, the best in school history. They were ranked as high as third in the nation and Miller was named Big 12 co-freshman of the year, honorable mention All-Big 12 and to the All-Big 12 rookie team. The Sporting News named him the league’s top freshman. The Bears finished that season with a 30–7 record and went to the Elite Eight of the NCAA basketball tournament. Miller averaged 10.6 points and 4.3 rebounds and was drafted by the Nuggets in the second round (No. 38 overall) in 2012.
“Getting to the Elite Eight, the championship game of the Big 12 tournament, the 17–0 start playing with those group of guys” have been Miller’s biggest basketball thrills. “We were like brothers. You felt like family when you were there,” said Miller, whose own family provided enough manpower to field a team of their own.
He learned that his mother, who is a nurse, is “definitely a strong person. She is trying to help everybody. I commend my mother.”
Through her and God he finds inspiration. He depended on God when he wasn’t playing as much when he got to the NBA. “That was real hard because I was used to playing all my life,” he said.
Miller, 22, has spent time in the NBA’s Developmental League with Iowa and Reno. At Denver he averaged 6.8 points and 5.2 rebounds.
Denver power forward Darrell Arthur said, “(Miller) is still learning his game. He is going to come out and play hard. Even if he makes a mistake, he still wants to keep learning.”
Wilson Chandler, a Denver forward, has been impressed with Miller’s athleticism.
“He is young, athletic and real hungry to play so that is always good. Quincy is very long and athletic. He brings a lot of energy. I have been around him for two years now. He is a great kid. He is real humble. He is willing to listen to coaches and teammates. I think the sky is the limit for him.”
Miller said, “I learned that I’ve got a lot of work to do, a lot to learn about myself still but I definitely learned that I am capable.”
Toronto Raptors forward James Johnson, who has played against Miller, said, “He can do it all, dribble, shoot.” Johnson encouraged Miller, “Just believe in yourself that God put you here for a reason and let Him guide you.”
Jesus means “everything” to him said Miller, who sends messages about God through Instagram and Twitter. He recently tweeted Mark 9:23, “Everything is possible for him who believes.”
Enthusiastic about life
Miller, who said he can draw anything and likes to write, go-cart race and play laser tag and paintball is enthusiastic about whatever he does.
Former Denver teammate Evan Fournier called Miller his best friend on the team when both played for Denver.
“We are very close because we got drafted the same year. He is always smiling, always happy. He is very enthusiastic. That is what you need on a team, be positive,” said Fournier, a shooting guard now with the Orlando Magic.
Miller is positive about the NBA being a platform for his faith. He said, “My faith has grown immensely. The more and more I focus on God, the more things happen for me. I definitely appreciate Him.”
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