A young Miles Miller is pictured sitting on the bench at a Meridian boys basketball game.

To put it simply, Miles Miller’s basketball resume at Meridian is profound. Miller already claims a 6A basketball title, he’s averaging 24 points per game in region play and his Wildcats are 23-1 this season and are poised to contend for yet another state title.

Miller’s academic resume, however, is even more impressive.

The senior carries a 4.5 grade-point average, and he earned a perfect score (36) on the reading portion of the ACT, in which he scored an overall 29. Miller’s athletic and academic achievements have grabbed the attention of Princeton, Columbia, Cornell, the United States Naval Academy, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a host of other top-tier universities. 

While sports and academics are of equal importance to him, Miller said he realizes there’s a shelf life that accompanies athletic careers, and he wants to leave as impressive of an impact in life as he does on the basketball court.

“I try to keep them equal, but I would definitely say my academics would one day take me further than the ball ever will, Miller said. “I feel like I would be able to reach far into the world with my academics, and I just want to be able to touch a lot of people with it.”

Excelling in both arenas is a balancing act, and after four years’ worth of practice, Miller appears to have mastered the routine. After practice or basketball games, it’s off to his family’s home to dive into his school work.

“I get home, try to shower as quickly as possible, and get right to business,” Miller said. “I try not to waste any time watching TV or anything like that. I try to do my work, study and make sure all of my academics are taken care of. Then I spend the rest of the night to myself.”

Miller’s sixth-grade sister, Mariah, attends West Lauderdale Middle School. His evenings also include helping his younger sister with her homework.

“Anytime she’s ever had a question about anything, she knows I’m always open and available to help her,” he said. “I just want her to be successful in everything that she does, so if she ever needs any help with anything, I want to be there for her.”

Mariah Miller spoke about her older brother’s influence. 

“He’s been really helpful, and I’m thankful that he’s as smart as he is to help me with my work,” the youngster said.

For those who know the Millers, Miles’ academic achievements come as no surprise. His parents, Sherrod and Shannon Miller, have a combined 41 years’ worth of academic experience.

Shannon Miller — who has a master’s degree in educational leadership —  is currently the elementary administrator at Marion Park Alternative School, and Sherrod Miller — who has a master’s degree in educational leadership and sports administration — is the middle school administrator at Magnolia Middle School.

The Millers moved to Meridian from Tupelo in 1999 when Sherrod Miller accepted an assistant basketball coaching position under Ernie Watson at Meridian High School, and Shannon Miller a teaching position at T.J. Harris Elementary School. Shannon Miller was pregnant with Miles when the family moved to Meridian. 

School, Miles Miller said, has always been a part of his DNA.

“From an early age, I grew up around the school and in the school,” Miles Miller said with a laugh. “When we first moved to Meridian, we knew nobody. So I was with them all the time. When they had meetings, I was there. And when my dad was in the gym, I was right there with him. I’ve always been around it, so I developed a love for it.”

A 21-year veteran in academia, Sherrod Miller said there’s a parallel between academics and athletics.

“With academics and athletics, (it’s) the teaching of discipline,” Sherrod Miller said. “If you are very disciplined, you will do very well in your education and your chosen sport.”

Shannon Miller, who has been in academia for 20 years, echoed the same sentiment.

“It’s the discipline and sacrifice,” Shannon Miller said. “Being able to give up something for a greater good, because you know eventually it’s going to pay off — the discipline and sacrifice.”

Although he won’t attend college until the fall, Miles Miller said he’s considering a career path in either criminal law, political science or business. His interest in criminal justice was piqued three years ago during the social unrest in Baltimore, Maryland, following the death of Freddie Gray. 

“I saw how it affected a lot of people and brought a lot of outrage, and I just want to one day be able to say I’ll be able to fix those problems or help bring justice to those situations, without violence,” he said.

Colleges know in Miller they’re getting a cerebral, 6-foot-2 guard with a championship background. Miller, however, also has a checklist for whichever school he signs with. 

“I’m definitely looking for somewhere where I can have a great educational background, a family-like environment — somewhere where I know I’ll be taken care of, even if I’m far away from Mississippi,” he said. “I just want to be able to know that whatever program I play for, there’s a big emphasis on academics, not just for myself, but also my teammates.”

Part of what makes Miller effective on the basketball court is a team-first mentality and a hunger for perfection. His mother said he’s embraced those traits from a young age. 

“He gets that team aspect, hence him coming home and helping (Mariah) with the homework,” Shannon Miller said. “He gets the whole concept that this is not about me — it’s about that team. And he loves to win.”

Faith is also a cornerstone of the Miller household. The family attends Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Collinsville.

“Since I was a baby, I’ve grown up in the church,” he said. “Every Sunday, every Wednesday, we’re there. We have a great church family, and they support me in everything that I do. We’re always involved in the church, and I think my church family is one of the best.”

The Wildcats travel to Petal Friday before wrapping up the last three games of the regular season. Then it’s off to the postseason, where Miller and his Meridian teammates will attempt to win their second-consecutive 6A championship.

“Last year, we had a great group of seniors with guys like Ledarrius Brewer and Jay Malone and David McCoy,” Miller said. “Before they left, they told me, ‘Go get another one.’ Those are my brothers — we grew up together, and that’s what I’m trying to do. We have a great group of guys this year. We’re learning every day, and we work hard and we play together. That’s why we’ve been as successful as we are.”