Forward Baba Miller plans to return to Florida State men's basketball for sophomore season

Florida State men's basketball received some good news Friday afternoon as forward Baba Miller said he plans to return for his sophomore season.

Miller told ESPN.com on Friday morning that he plans to return for the 2023-24 season. The news was also confirmed to the Democrat, with Miller also confirming the news himself on his Twitter account shortly after.

As a freshman, the Spaniard averaged 4.3 points and 3.7 rebounds in 15 games. He missed the first half of the FSU season after being suspended by the NCAA for receiving improper benefits.

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"We didn't have the greatest season this year and I couldn't play since the beginning of the season, so that really hurt too," Miller told the local media Friday about his decision to return.

"So I decided to come back and try to make things right and try to help coach (Leonard Hamilton) achieve his goal of to try and get to the Final Four. I think with me coming back, I can really help the team."

Miller added the decision to return wasn't hard. He said he talked to Hamilton, as well as his parents before coming to a decision.

"It wasn't really hard," Miller said. "I didn't really get to play as much as I wanted to in college basketball, I had 15 games. I didn't have that taste of, 'OK, this is college basketball and I'm happy with what I did here.' I think one more year will help me do that."

Miller's frustrations with losing, injuries and suspension

Prior to FSU's involvement in his recruitment, Miller had his travel from Spain to a training camp in the United States expensed. After learning about how that violated NCAA rules, Miller and his family repaid the benefits they received.

"It was very frustrating, but at the end of the day I just had to accept the fact I couldn't play until January," Miller said. "I just tried to help the team any way I could. ... But it was definitely frustrating."

Miller, who dealt with recovery from an offseason surgery in addition to the suspension, was never able to find his groove last season. He did at times showcase the athleticism that led many pundits to believe he would be a one-and-done player.

He will now have a full off-season to try and get back to the level of basketball he expects to play.

"It's definitely going to help to try and get my body right, try and my mind right and reset our minds to get ready for next season mentally," Miller said. "I want to get my skills a little tighter, my dribbling, my shot, try to fix everything up in these next few five-six months."

The Seminoles went 9-23, their worst season in program history, and lost guards Caleb Mills and Matthew Cleveland to the NCAA Transfer Portal in the last two weeks.

FSU head coach Leonard Hamilton told the Democrat last month he expects to add three-to-four players from the transfer portal.

"Coming from Real Madrid we used to win a lot," Miller said. "I am not very used to losing as much as we did as much this season, I didn't really like that taste in my mouth of losing so many games.

"I just want to come back and make things right. Also, Coach Ham has been such a great coach and I don't think he deserved the season we had this year. We have to fix this for him, for the team, for Florida State, for everyone."

Looking ahead to FSU men's basketball in 2023-24

Mills and Cleveland have already hit the portal and it is expected for maybe a couple more players to follow. Cleveland Yates was the lone senior honored on senior night.

As of now, Miller is the top returning player for FSU. Guard Darin Green Jr. and Jaylan Gainey both transferred in last year, so those two hitting the portal seems unlikely.

Fellow freshmen this season in Cam Cohren and Chandler Jackson are two more expected back.

"I think everybody was pretty devasted by the season, so I think everybody wants to try and come back and make things right," Miller said. "(We want) to leave Florida State where it's supposed to be, not as bad as we left it this year."

Playing for Spain

Miller said he will represent his home country Spain at the FIBA U19 World Cup this summer. The World Cup is scheduled to start June 24 and run through July 3 in Hungary.

Sixteen countries will be represented, including aforementioned Spain, as well as the US. Spain is scheduled to play Canada to open the tournament on June 24 and is in Group A with Canada, Chin and Spain.

"I am looking forward to it, seeing my old teammates of mine I've played with since I was 12," Miller said. "Representing my country, that's always an honor. ... World Cup, I've never been in such a big international tournament."

Miller will spend the next month working out with his teammates in Tallahassee before heading up a month before the tournament for the training camp a month ahead of the tournament.

"I think I'll come back right after the World Cup and join the team," Miller said. "Then when they give us off, I'll go back home again."

Reach Ehsan Kassim at ekassim@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @Ehsan_Kassim. You can also follow our coverage on Facebook (NoleSports) and Instagram (tlhnolesports).

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU men's basketball: Baba Miller plans to return to Seminoles