Baba Miller makes long-awaited debut tonight for Florida State Basketball
Leonard Hamilton has made it clear that he doesn’t expect talented freshman Baba Miller to just light up the ACC immediately upon his arrival.
But the Florida State head coach has a difficult time not smiling when he’s talking about the talented freshman from Spain, who was forced to miss the first 16 games of the 2022-23 season because of an NCAA suspension.
Miller has so much energy, to go along with that length and skill, that Hamilton thinks the 6-foot-11 freshman can have a significant impact for the Seminoles even as he adjusts to college basketball at this level.
And the adjustment starts in earnest tonight when the Seminoles (5-11, 3-2 in the ACC) take on Wake Forest (11-5, 3-2) in Winston-Salem at 9 p.m. ET (ACC Network).
“Baba has a high basketball IQ,” Hamilton said. “We’re going to give him time to get his feet under him. I expect him to make a major contribution in areas that might not necessarily show up in the statistical columns. I think he’s a good ball-mover, I think he contests [shots], I think he’s got those long arms that can shut down passing lanes. I expect all those dirty-work things.
“I think you’ll see him elevate his game and become much more effective throughout [the season]. But that’s what he’s about: The dirty work, the rebounds, tip-ins, running the floor, diving on the floor for loose balls. Those are the things I think we’ll get from him.”
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Hamilton knows Miller will be somewhat anxious in his first college game.
That’s natural for anyone, but probably even more so for a heralded recruit who was forced to miss half his freshman season for unknowingly breaking an NCAA rule. (Miller reportedly received a free trip to the United States before he decided to play college basketball and before he was recruited by Florida State.)
Hamilton knows there will be some growing pains for Miller, but he said he has had the right attitude all along and just wants to do anything he can to help the team win.
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While not playing in games, Miller has spent the previous two months getting stronger, trying to add bulk to what was a pretty slender frame.
But his size and talent will be a huge boost for an FSU team that has been essentially whittled down to a seven-man rotation because of injuries, youth and the now-lifted suspension.
“He’s got to be a little anxious,” Hamilton said. “He’s a youngster coming into a new program and he’s only been able to practice. … I’ve got a hunch that he’ll make a major contribution and be able to give those guys less minutes because of him being in the rotation.
“He has the right attitude,” Hamilton added. “I don’t think he’s expecting to come in and do anything great. He just wants to help the team win. That’s just the kind of attitude he has.”
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