Kassim: Talented freshman Baba Miller finally 'free' for Florida State men's basketball
Baba Miller is free.
Following an NCAA suspension for 16 games, the talented freshman will finally make his Florida State men's basketball debut at 9 p.m. Wednesday (TV: ACC Network) for the Seminoles (5-11, 3-2 ACC) against Wake Forest (11-5, 3-2) at the LJVM Coliseum in Winston-Salem, N.C.
The 6-foot-11, 204-pound forward will bring much-needed depth to a team that has been short-handed for the majority of the season due to other season-ending injuries.
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.
In the days of the "name, image, and likeness" (NIL), it was an unjust punishment for a player who even paid the money back.
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Unjust suspension
Miller's suspension has been a hot topic, as athletics director Michael Alford dropped a scathing press release following the NCAA's decision to deny an appeal by Florida State University for the reinstatement of Miller.
"I am very disappointed with the committee’s decision based on the facts presented,” Alford said in a statement in October. “The decision seems disproportionate and inconsistent in today’s modern environment. It’s unfortunate that Baba will have to endure this penalty.”
Media personalities, like ESPN's Dick Vitale and Jay Bilas, as well as Stadium analyst Jeff Goodman have voiced support for Miller.
"It is time for NCAA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR to use his power in a positive way and have this UNFAIR PUNISHMENT on BABA MILLER of FSUHoops rescinded IMMEDIATELY,” Vitale said in an October tweet. “Mark I know YOU believe in HELPING young athletes not hurting them.”
Why is Miller was suspended when programs are holding literal bidding wars for football players right in front of the public's eyes in the transfer portal and in high school?
The NCAA can hide behind the fact that this suspension was handed down prior to the NIL being legal and fair game, but the appeal happened after and it should have been an easy vacation of the said suspension.
"I didn't have any idea that was a thing until it did happen," FSU star Matthew Cleveland told the Democrat. "It didn't really make sense to me. I didn't really understand it. But having him back is going to be huge for us."
While FSU has not yet made Miller available to the media, Cleveland also told the Democrat that he, Miller and FSU appreciated the support from the media and fans.
"It has helped Baba a lot," Cleveland said. Every day, he comes in with the same mindset, same attitude. He is never down. We don't see if he's down about it. But he has always been a good teammate since he has been here. It has really helped him a lot knowing that what happened to him was unfair, and he still has basically half the season left to play to prove to people who he is."
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What Miller brings
FSU head coach Leonard Hamilton already knew he had his work cut out with a younger team this season. Adding on Miller's suspension, as well as season-ending injuries to transfer Jaylan Gainey (knee) and Cam’Ron Fletcher (knee) have already tightened up rotations for Hamilton.
Last time out against Georgia Tech, Darin Green played all 40 minutes, while Cleveland played 38 minutes and Caleb Mills played 36.
Playing over 30 minutes is unheard of in Hamilton's tenure. Playing 40 minutes is a lot to ask.
So, even before factoring in Miller's talent, he brings another body.
He adds another body for the Seminoles to play, something that could help the team have more energy near the end of ballgames, something that was obviously needed in a game a couple of weeks ago against Duke, where the Seminoles stayed within striking distance of the Blue Devils, but got the doors blown off in the final minutes.
"Baba has a high basketball I.Q. We are going to have 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 column," Hamilton said. "He’s a good ball mover. He contests. He’s got those long arms that can shut down passing lanes. I expect him to be getting all of those dirty work things. Then I think you will see him elevate his game and become much more effective throughout the game.
"But that is what he is about, the dirty work, the rebounds, the tip-ins, running the floor and diving on the floor for loose balls. Those are the things you will get from him. He’s got to be a little anxious. He is an 18, 19-year-old younger just coming into a new program. He has only been able to practice.
"So we are going to give him his freedom, but I’ve got a hunch that he will be making a major contribution and he will be able to give those guys fewer minutes, because of him being involved in the rotation.”
Miller, one of the top international recruits, was ranked 47th overall by 247Sports and was the 11th-ranked center in the 2022 recruiting class.
"He is someone who is 7-foot and can play the guard position, which is completely rare," Cleveland said. "And he plays with a lot of energy and passion. The things he does in practice, I'm like, there is no way a 7-footer should be able to do this. Being able to watch it is cool. The fans will have a fun time watching his energy and how hard he plays."
Against Newberry College in an exhibition, Miller scored 11 points in that game, along with seven rebounds, four assists, a block, and a steal. He showed a glimpse of what he can bring.
"Baba will bring rebounding," Green said. "He is 7-foot tall. He can bring the ball up the court. Everybody can bring the ball up the court in our offense. He is actually a better playmaker than most people know. So him being 7-foot tall, getting in the paint and dishing out helps us out as well."
While Miller has not played yet this season, he has been at practices and sparked the team from the bench.
"Even when he has not been playing this whole time, we have felt Baba’s presence on that bench every single game. Every single game, he is up, loud and screaming for us. He is a really great teammate to have.”
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FSU's rest of season prospects
Realistically, the Seminoles are going to need to win the ACC tournament to have a shot at reaching the NCAA Tournament. That seems like a longshot, at best, even with Miller's return.
Even reaching the NIT will be a stretch for FSU, but it is attainable if the Seminoles keep up the play from the last few weeks.
FSU started the season 1-9 but has gone 4-2 in its last six games.
With 16 games left, an 11-5 record down the stretch would give the Seminoles a .500 record for the season and a 14-6 conference record. That would have been fourth in the league last season.
Miller will likely need a few games to adjust to the physicality of the American game of basketball. But once he finds his legs, if he shows the projection some of the analysts and FSU felt he could before the season, he does give the Seminoles a chance.
But the most important thing when you see Miller play on Wednesday: He is finally "free" from an unjust suspension.
Game information
Who: Florida State (5-11, 3-2 ACC) vs. Wake Forest (11-5, 3-2)
When/Where: Wednesday, 9 p.m.; LJVM Coliseum, Winston-Salem, N.C.
TV: ACC Network
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: Column: Baba Miller finally "free" for Florida State men's basketball
