By Todd Bradley, DCSportsFan.com
Special to MaxPreps.com
If you spend a few minutes watching P.J. Miller play basketball, it doesn't take long to notice that he has a special talent. The 6-foot-2 senior point guard is off to a tremendous start at The Potomac School, where he has scored in double figures in each of the first five games, including 22 against Georgetown Prep and 21 in a 57-47 victory over Sidwell Friends.
Miller looks the part. Without a doubt, he was the best player on the floor against Sidwell Friends. In addition to his 21 points, Miller had eight rebounds, six assists, one steal and one block. Whenever Sidwell Friends attempted to take the lead, Miller would answer.
Everything about him screams that he is a serious Division I basketball player, which makes it seem strange when you hear he will be playing basketball at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) next year, which has lost 44 straight games dating back to Feb. 19, 2007.
"During the summer, I was being recruited by a lot of mid-major schools and New Jersey Tech," Miller said. "I had an injury to my foot, and it kind of took away a lot of schools that were interested, but New Jersey Tech was with me all the way."
Miller's decision to attend NJIT is similar to a decision he made a few years ago when he decided to go to The Potomac School, which has become one of the better programs in the D.C. area after a few years of mediocrity.
"He wanted to be involved with a program like Potomac School, where the program was going to build around him," coach Sean Whalen said. "He is going to be the cornerstone. It's kind of like what we did here at The Potomac School."
The attention Miller has received, or lack thereof, has played a big part in where he is today. In an area known for its rich basketball talent, Miller has flown under the radar for years. But after five consecutive double-digit performances, including a 22-point game against Georgetown-bound Markel Starks, Miller's name is becoming a little more familiar to those in the basketball world.
"I know that I'm low on the radar, but every time people come to see me play they say I play hard, and that I'm one of the best players out here," Miller said. "I just haven't gotten the limelight like a lot of players have, but that is what fuels me. It makes me keep working on my game and trying to get better."
Despite the struggles NJIT has experienced over the past few years, Miller stays positive when discussing his future school, pointing out the potential that is so easily overlooked.
"This year the team is not doing so well, but a lot of players are hurt," Miller said. “[The coaching staff] is bringing in some good players and there are some redshirting as well. I want to come in and be a four-year starter, which is a great thing in college basketball on the Division I level. I was just looking for an opportunity, and they gave it to me."
For the time being, Miller is a key player on a team that is expected to compete for the MAC title. He is joined by Fordham-bound Brian Freeman and freshman standout Cullen Hamilton. In just his fifth game on the varsity level, Hamilton scored 12 points, which was the fifth consecutive game he ended with at least 10 points.
"I think Cullen Hamilton is one of the best freshman in the country," Whalen added. "I've coached Kendall Marshall and Tyler Thornton, and [Cullen] is very similar to those two at his age. I think he has a shot at going to the highest level."
Less than a year away from reaching that next level is Freeman, who committed to Fordham this past August. Freeman came off the bench against Sidwell Friends because he missed a practice the day before. Once he entered the game, Freeman missed a good portion of the first half after he suffered a cut to his face. But when he returned, the 6-8, 220-pound senior scored 14 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and recorded four blocks.
"When he plays hard, it's very hard to beat us," Whalen said. "He's probably one of the best athletes at his position. He just has to bring it for us every single night. If he can do that, we're going to be one of the best teams in the area."
For the time being, however, everything comes back to Miller and what he brings to The Potomac School.
"He's a freak athlete who can put the ball on the floor and do a lot of great things," Whalen said. "He plays his best at the highest level games. Last week he scored 22 points against Markel Starks (Georgetown). He's up there with guards in this area, no question. He's still learning the position and how to control a team. He's learning on the fly, but I think he's doing a great job. ...His potential has no ceiling."
