Las Vegas Sun

March 19, 2024

high school basketball:

Palo Verde basketball player Miller finds fit at Southern Utah

Gorman wins

L.E. Baskow

Bishop Gorman’s Stephen Zimmerman fumbles the ball near Palo Verde’s Taylor Miller during the state basketball championship game on Friday, Feb. 27, 2015.

Taylor Miller said he verbally committed to the Southern Utah University basketball program last June shortly after he was offered a scholarship.

So, why is this news in late September?

Miller, the Palo Verde High senior point guard, wasn’t like other prospects who immediately take to social media to document every step of the recruiting process.

It wasn’t until Monday when images from his visit to the Cedar City, Utah, school were posted on the Las Vegas Prospects Facebook and Twitter accounts, that Miller’s commitment became known. He plays AAU with the Prospects.

Miller is humble and reserved. He didn’t think it was necessary to bring attention his way. He’s not even listed on recruiting websites such as Rivals.com as being committed.

“I’m used to flying under the radar,” he said.

Southern Utah was his only offer, but Air Force and Hawaii were actively recruiting him. He could have also skipped the fall signing period, Nov. 11-18, and waited for more offers after his senior season.

Southern Utah, though, was the perfect fit. And not only for basketball.

Miller will serve a two-year church mission after graduation and not enroll in college until 2018. Some coaches stopped recruiting him after he told them of his desire to serve a mission.

“I felt (Southern Utah) was a right fit for me,” Miller said. “It was huge for me that they understand (the mission).”

The 6-foot-2 Miller averaged 15.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.4 steals and 2.1 assists per game last season to help Palo Verde reach the state championship game. Miller hit the game-winning shot against Canyon Springs with seconds remaining in the state semifinals.

Palo Verde graduated most of its key performers from last season, meaning Miller will be its unquestioned leader. He’s also one of the area’s best players.

Those titles come with responsibility, all of which Miller is ready to embrace, including being more vocal on the court.

He’s not the first from his family to earn a basketball scholarship. His father, Nathan Miller, was part of state championship teams at Clark and Durango (1995) and played in college at Weber State.

Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21

Join the Discussion:

Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.

Full comments policy