After initially announcing his intention to return to Baylor for his sophomore season, Quincy Miller had a change of heart and declared for the 2012 NBA Draft. “At first, I was listening to everybody else’s opinion instead my own,” Miller admitted at the NBA Draft Combine. “Ever since I was younger, I just wanted to play in the NBA so I was like I might as well go follow my dreams.”
Many viewed the decision as a mistake as Miller was projected to be a top 10 pick in 2013, assuming he had the breakout season most thought he would. Miller, who measured 6’10” in shoes at the combine doesn’t agree with that train of thought. “I think I can develop just as well as I can in college as I can in the NBA.”
Even with the team’s success, Miller didn’t individually live up to expectations in his lone season at Waco. He did average 10.6 points and 4.9 rebounds per game earning him Co-Big 12 Rookie of the Year honors, but more was expected since Miller was a top ten recruit in the 2011 class.
The fact that Miller was recovering from an ACL injury that cost him most of his senior year of high school is partially responsible for his lackluster freshman campaign and something he admits was a mental hurdle to overcome. “It was at first, I kept improving as the season went on. I’m fully over it and don’t have any problems with it.”
“People put a lot on (the injury.) I think that’s a big reason why my draft stock’s so low. Now, since they see I move better and it’s not bothering me at all.”
“I wasn’t able to show how well I dribble the ball and how I can get past defenders. I think I had a great year at Baylor as far as team wins. We made it to the Elite 8, won a lot of games. It was all about team. Now I got more time to focus on myself and my own game.”
One thing Miller must focus on is getting stronger at the next level. He is also looking to become a better perimeter shooter. “I feel like I can be a good NBA three-point shooter if I just keep working at it.”
More than likely, Miller will not make an immediate impact at the next level. In fact, he enters the final stretch leading up to the draft as a borderline first round pick. He could eventually develop into one of the later steals of the 2012 draft class, but for the immediate future, Miller might end up regretting his change of heart.
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David Kay is a senior feature NBA Draft, NBA, and college basketball writer for the Sports Bank. He also heads up the NBA and college basketball material at Walter Football.com and is a former contributor at The Washington Times Communities. David has appeared on numerous national radio programs spanning from Cleveland to New Orleans to Honolulu. He also had the most accurate 2011 NBA Mock Draft on the web.
You can follow him on Twitter at DavidKay_TSB.