Adam Miller speaks on his injury recovery process after choosing to stay at LSU
After transferring to LSU as a sophomore, life as a Tiger could not have started worse for Adam Miller. The 6’ 2” point guard averaged 8 points and 2.8 rebounds as a freshman at Illinois and looked set to make the change from the Big 10 to the SEC.
At the time head coach Will Wade had just finished his 4th season and was able to lead his team to the round of 32 in the NCAA playoffs, after bowing out to Michigan. Miller’s Illinois also made it to the round of 32 that season, before losing to Loyola Chicago, with the Rambler’s going on to take part in one of the most improbable runs in recent tournament history.
Miller started every game for the Fighting Illini in the 2020-2021 season, but the former Mr. Basketball of Illinois decided he wanted to take his talents elsewhere, and chose the bayou.
Miller was expected to make a large impact for the Tigers but did not even make it to the court after tearing his ACL in October. Miller would go on to miss the entire season and eventually put his name back into the transfer portal.
But after an abrupt coaching switch that saw Wade fired and Matt McMahon’s rehiring, Miller eventually opted to stay with the Tigers. With new recruits and coaching changes, Miller felt that his decision to stay was justified.
“Coach (McMahon) is doing a great job (with) players coming on time, players getting their job done, players coming in, showing a smile on their face,” Miller said when speaking to the Jordy Culotta Show. “We’re going to have a good program this year.”
Miller said that the workouts and out o practice activities the basketball team does together will also go to strengthening the team, as he said no successful team he had ever been on got along very well, making it a point of emphasis for both Miller and the coaching staff.
Miller also gave an update on his injury recovery, making it clear he did not lose his “pro-level shot” but still needs a little bit more time to finally put his trust back in his knee.
“Now I’m just trying to get ready for a full practice. Individual workouts? Psh, smashing it,” Miller said. “Now its about getting that… stamina back with my knee. Being ready for a game, you know 30 minutes, 25 minutes.”
Practice will look much different this year for Miller with nine new players coming in for the Tigers as they look to rebuild after Wade’s sudden departure.
Miller said while he is excited to get back to playing with his teammates he does still have a lot of work to do to be 100% again.
“The biggest thing for me, the mental hurdle I’m going to have to get over is I don’t want me teammates to be too far ahead of me,” Miller said. “I’m going to do my part because I want my teammates to have trust in me.”
Anthony Bailey
