The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

FRANCO Miller Jr has fielded several offers since he entered the transfer portal and discussed a list of his top schools that have emerged thus far from the process.

Miller told ESPN 960, an affiliate of the worldwide leader in sports based in Provo, Utah, that his top schools were Division I schools BYU and North Carolina-Charlotte, along with several junior college options.

He also discussed the reasons behind his decision to transfer from the Ole Miss Rebels after two seasons.

“I just felt that during the season my confidence was a bit shot. Things weren’t going the way that I wanted them to and I was kind of upset about that. I grew from it and I learned from it. Ole Miss was a great place, nothing bad to say about Ole Miss, it just wasn’t the spot for me,” he said. “I’m not a guy that’s going to accept just sitting on the bench. I’d rather go somewhere and contribute and play.”

Miller played sparingly last season as a redshirt freshman and appeared in just 13 games. In those few appearances, he reached double figures in minutes just three times. He scored four points in his season debut against Alabama State, but would go scoreless for the remainder of the season.

Despite falling out of the rotation, Miller made an impact off the court and was named to the 2020 SEC Men’s Basketball Community Service Team. The only freshman to receive the recognition, Miller had his true freshman season cut short due to a stress fracture in his kneecap that eventually led to surgery. He was granted a medical redshirt.

While sidelined he was one of eight Rebels that silently protested by kneeling during the American national anthem in response to Confederacy rallies hosted near the stadium in February 2019.

“I do feel like BYU has a lot to offer. Coach [Mark] Pope, they all just talked to me, we went over my analytics. I think that they’re really big on getting people better and focusing on things that you need to get better at and make you the best player that you can be.”

There is no timetable set for his decision and he will have three years of eligibility remaining when he signs to a new programme.

Miller chose the Rebels over the Oklahoma Sooners, Oregon Ducks, Minnesota Golden Gophers and Towson Tigers.

The 6’3”, 200-pound guard previously received offers from Hofstra, Montana State, Wyoming, St Bonaventure and Illinois at Chicago.

Following his tenure for the Tabernacle Baptist Academy Falcons, Miller played at Crestwood Prep in Ontario, Canada. He led the Lions to the National Preparatory Association playoffs. He was also named to the roster for the 2018 Allen Iverson Roundball Classic.