Matt Miller Makes Splash Playing College Basketball

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By John Singleton

In a town that churns out more collegiate lacrosse players than almost any other region in the country, Anne Arundel County’s Matt Miller has done something truly exceptional. As a freshman at Seton Hill University, Miller was the second leading scorer for the Griffins basketball team this past winter with a 16.3 PPG average. He led the team in assists (3.4), 3-point field goal made (74) and free throw percentage (.862).

“Basketball is a tough sport,” explained Severna Park’s Ed Wilson, who has coached Miller over the years. “It attracts incredible athletes. There are only five spots on the floor per team. It’s probably the most competitive team sport there is.”

Severna Park may be well known as a hotbed for lacrosse talent, but Miller grew up playing Green Hornets basketball and attending St. John the Evangelist School in Severna Park, where he led his team to the CYO championship game. The boy with the love for hoops always had cutting-edge skills, but he was never the biggest kid on the court.

“I was always a good ball handler and I played a lot of point guard,” said Matt Miller, who lives in Arnold. “But it wasn’t until high school that I shot up. I was kind of a late bloomer.”

In a game that prizes height and physical dominance, it wasn’t until the summer between 11th and 12th grade that Miller shot up to his current height and weight of 6’4” and 185 lbs. Playing high school basketball in the competitive MIAA conference for perennial powerhouse Mount St. Joseph’s, Miller knew he had the ability to play at the collegiate level. He had been trained from an early age by his dad, Tim Miller, who coached him in the Green Hornets and 3D youth organizations.

“I’m very proud of Matt. He’s worked hard at the game of basketball and it’s really paid off,” explained Tim Miller, who continues to coach in the 3D organization. “He also works hard in school and has kept up a strong GPA at Mount St. Joe’s and now at Seton Hill.”

The younger Miller is studying Criminal Justice at Seton Hill University, where he received a scholarship for his basketball prowess. Seton Hill is a Catholic university rooted in Judeo-Christian values and is located in Greensburg, Pennsylvania.

Founded by the Sisters of Charity in 1885, Seton Hill started out as a small liberal arts college. It has since grown into a 2,000-student coeducational university that is a member of the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC).

“My goal as a sophomore is to help my team win the conference,” summarized Miller. “But I’ve got to take this opportunity to thank my dad. He helped me get where I am today. Also, I want to thank my mom, who always supported me and everything that I did.”

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