Miller Motivated to Excel for Raiders

by Alan Hieber

Junior transfer guard Michal Miller will be sporting the No. 24 jersey for the Wright State women's basketball team this year. With that number it's no surprise that one of her favorite players is former NBA star Kobe Bryant.

From the look of things, it appears the Raiders might have their own "Black Mamba" for the next two seasons.

During a prolific career at Michigan City high school near the banks of Lake Michigan in Indiana, Miller was used to being the best athlete, averaging 24.7 points per game her senior season. When she took her talents to Arizona in the power five Pac-12, she had to redefine that role.

"Now you're surrounded by many good players. Even when I worked hard in practice, it felt like I wasn't working hard enough," Miller said.

During her freshman 2015-16 campaign in Tucson, Miller averaged 3.6 points in 28 appearances. Following that she choose to sit out a season by redshirting and transferring to JUCO juggernaut Trinity Valley in Athens, TX.

She helped lead the Cardinals to the NJCAA national championship game in March, renewing her drive to again play at the Division I level.

"I honestly didn't think that would happen," Miller said. "It's made me more hungry on this stage here at Wright State where I want to compete for another one."

Schools like New Mexico, Butler, IUPUI, Oklahoma State and Missouri started to show interest in Miller. However, it was the persistence of WSU coach Katrina Merriweather that began with a phone call last fall that impressed her.

"With her (Merriweather) it wasn't always about basketball," Miller said. "She asked, 'What's important to you?'

"I let her know my relationship with my head coach has to be the number one thing because I'm far from home and grew up in a household with a lot of kids. She filled that gap for me, and we got close early."

One of those 12 siblings is Miller's twin brother Michael, who is now in his senior season at guard for North Texas. Playing against him on the court their father built in front of their house growing up has had a lasting impact.

"He would always beat me and I would get so angry," Miller said. "Honestly I think that's where my competitive nature comes from."

Now at WSU, Miller is learning to get back on defense as a two-guard. Experienced senior Raider guards Mackenzie Taylor and Emily Vogelpohl have been mentoring her.

"They help me a lot with the terminology. Mack is a two and has helped me out with that," Miller said. "Emily keeps me engaged and encouraged. She's a positive voice in my ear."

In an exhibition matchup against Marian Oct. 27 Miller was the second-leading scorer for WSU with 14 points. She has higher expectations moving forward.

"I set the bar really high for myself, but just to get back in the groove of things felt great," Miller said.

Miller will get her first taste of regular season action facing CSU Bakersfield on the road Tuesday night. There is no denying her hunger to return in the way she sums it up.

"When I took my redshirt year, it took a toll on me. Mentally it made me realize what it would be like if I didn't have basketball," Miller said. "I try to stay encouraged if I miss a shot. You can choose to stay down in that moment or keep improving from that previous mistake."

Players Mentioned

Michal Miller

Mackenzie Taylor

Emily Vogelpohl

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