3-star guard Franco Miller commits to Ole Miss over Oklahoma and Oregon

The early signing period continues to bring good news for the Ole Miss Rebel basketball program. After four-star Blake Hinson chose to commit and ultimately sign with the Rebs over Illinois at the end of April, they now receive more good news. This time it is from Canada via the Bahamas.

Three-star point guard Franco Miller has decided to commit with Kermit Davis and Co. after visiting Norman, Minnesota, and being heavily pursued by Oregon. He chose the good guys over rather underwhelming offers from Hofstra, Illinois-Chicago, Montana State, St. Bonaventure, Towson, and Wyoming.

The Bahamas native flew under the radar for most of his recruitment (hence the low-level offers), playing his high school ball at Crestwood Preparatory College in North York, Ontario. But after receiving offers from the Rebels, Sooners, Ducks, and Gophers, he quickly was catapulted into the spotlight of the 2018 class.

Franco talks with 10th Year Seniors here and here about why he picked Ole Miss over the Ducks and the Sooners.

If you’re not a fan of clicking links and listening, he essentially said that he “feels that he fits in well with Kermit’s system”, “Coach Yo’s (new women’s head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin) presence made it feel even more like home (Bahamian native as well)”, and he has a “chance to come in as a freshman and get the ball in his hands”.

He is currently unrated by 247Sports and Rivals.com, but the athletic combo guard is a guy with plenty of tools and upside. He averaged 25.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 3.3 steals per game at Crestwood after leaving his island home and broke the 40-point threshold twice throughout the year. His game-high mark was 42 points versus Thetford Academy and then again scoring 40 points against the Toronto Basketball Club this season.

Davis’ latest commitment earned 1st-Team All-Canada NPA, 1st-Team All-CISAA, and Universal Hoops 1st-Team All-Canada after his fantastic play with the Lions. His stellar play in The Ron earned him spots in postseason all-star games The Allen Iverson Roundball Classic as well as the Signature All-Canadian Showcase.

The Rebs needed to find someone to potentially come in and contribute right away and spell returning guards Breein Tyree and Devontae Shuler when their minutes increase. Miller is not only someone capable of coming in and handling the rock and running the offense, but he will be a guy who will make plays.

The Freeport, Bahamas native is the fifth member of Kermit Davis’ first class in Oxford, joining forwards Blake Hinson, K.J. Buffen, Brian Halums, and Zach Naylor. The Rebs currently sit 53rd nationally in the rankings, but Halums and Miller are still unrated so they should move up soon.

How does he fit in?

The 6’2, 180-pounder played his prep ball in the National Preparatory Associaton League (NPA), a “transparent inclusive league designed to provide structure within amateur Canadian basketball at an elite level, while building culture for the game across the country.” Miller led Crestwood Prep to a 7-5 record in the league and was the 4th-leading scorer for the 2017-2018 season.

The points-hunting guard lit up the North Pole Hoops association with his ability to score from anywhere on the floor and his outstanding court vision. He can take you off the bounce and finish at the rack, pull up from anywhere on the floor, elevate, and sink a jumper, or find his teammates in a variety of ways. Despite some of the tools being a bit raw, the frame and ability is there. He possesses a sturdy-build, something that will benefit him in the Southeastern Conference, and he will only get better under the tutelage of Ronnie Hamilton.

Highlights