WOLFVILLE, N.S. - Taking his game across a few time zones from Winnipeg to Wolfville has run like clockwork for standout Acadia point guard Ben Miller.
Coming off a freshman year that saw him named the conference's top rookie, Miller looks to do more of the same for the Axemen in his sophmore season.
"He came in as an 18-year-old kid and showed what he could do immediately," said coach Kevin Duffie. "He is a great player who can do a lot of things at both ends of the floor."
Being named the conference's top rookie was simply a result of Miller's solid team play, added Duffie.
"Ben is a great teammate who just works hard and is unselfish. He does not worry about the credit. He is an example of do the right thing and the right thing will happen. He just wants the team to do the best it can and achieve the best it can."
The 6-foot-2 Miller, who played his high school basketball at tiny Westgate Mennonite Collegiate, put up impressive numbers in his freshman season, averaging 9.3 points per game and 3.1 assists per game. Miller started in all 20 games last season and averaged 4.4 rebounds while playing almost 30 minutes per game.
Miller finished fourth overall in three point baskets making 42, and tenth overall in the conference in assists with 61.
The heavily-recruited Miller, who spent a year with the junior national team, is eager to help his Axemen to a playoff spot this season and to compete for a conference championship.
"Team-wise I think the sky is the limit," says Miller. "Our goal is to compete and win championships.''
On a personal level, the confident Miller looks to continue to build his game while leading his team to its maximum potential. He would also like to translate his success as a rookie into a selection as an AUS all-star in the next year or two.
Miller's seamless transition from high school to CIS basketball was no fluke.
"I received great coaching as I developed my game and that helped prepare me. I set high expectations on myself and I have confidence that I can meet those expectations," said Miller.
Miller is one of four siblings, with two older brothers and a 13-year-old sister.
He has been playing basketball for about a dozen years. He also played soccer and baseball while growing up but basketball was what stuck after he turned 14.
During the past summer Miller spent a good deal of his time at his former high school playing basketball and working out with close friends and University of Manitoba basketball players to hone his game. He lives within walking distance of his high school and is fortunate to have an "arrangement" with his alma matter that gives him easy access to the gym.
Born in Omaha, Nebraska, Miller's family moved to Winnipeg about 10 years ago.
He had a very successful high school basketball career, leading his team to the a provincial title and was named Manitoba's top boys' basketball player in The Winnipeg Sun's annual coaches poll. Miller had averaged 22 points per game in his final year of high school.
Miller won back-to-back silver medals while playing for Manitoba in the summer of 2012 and at the 2013 Canada Games in Sherbrooke, Que.
He is majoring in sociology at Acadia and has not made any career plans as of yet. Growing up in the Prairies has given Miller a deep appreciation of the coast, which is one of the reasons he enjoys life and basketball in Wolfville.
Provided by Frank De Palma