Hercy Miller has been a strong contributor during his senior year at Minnehaha Academy in Minnesota. He helped the Redhawks secure a 20-1 overall record and the 2021 MSHSL Boys Basketball State Championship.
Miller has committed to attend Tennessee State, continuing the trend of big-name prep prospects enrolling into HBCUs.
“It’s a place where I can change the culture,” Miller said. “I can just change the narrative, not just me, but for everyone. Put a spotlight on for all the HBCUs around.”
When he attends, Miller aspires to major in architectural engineering with a minor in business and marketing. He noted that he wanted to study a subject that he enjoys.
“Ever since I was a young kid, I always watched the house shows,” Miller said. “I fell in love with real estate.”
In February, Minnehaha suffered their only loss of the season to the IMG Academy, 53-73. Miller learned how tough matchups will help him improve.
“I was always taught don’t take an ‘L’ as a loss, take it as a lesson,” he said. “One thing you got to remember is you’re not always gonna win every game.”
Miller’s favorite class at Minnehaha is physics. He knows to stay in sound academic standing because the school will not allow players to compete if they are not turning in assignments.
“Minnehaha, ever since the first day, it’s like they’re a school that’s not just focused on sports,” he said. “They’re on you about schoolwork.”
Basketball has been an ever-present force throughout his life. His older brother, Romeo, played for the USC Trojans men’s basketball team for two years. His father, Percy “Master P” Miller, played for a brief stint on the Charlotte Hornets and the Toronto Raptors.
“I’ve always had a love for basketball,” Miller said. “Just growing up, being around it just made me want to play.”
While playing in a basketball tournament in his youth, he realized that he was good at playing the sport.
“It was my first time scoring crazy numbers, I had like fifty-something points,” Miller said. “If I put the work in, I play hard, I can do what most people dream of, so I just keep working hard.”
As he continued to work on his craft, his love for basketball grew stronger. Miller then evolved into a Varsity basketball player by his freshman year in high school. He became a starting guard and team captain. Miller mentioned how leadership skills had been instilled in him in his youth by his father.
“He always taught me how you don’t want to be like everyone else,” Miller said. “He also taught me how [if] you don’t work, you don’t eat, so I always had the work ethic.”
Miller noted that his effort that he put as a point guard permeates to his teammates. He enjoys being a key factor of the Redhawks offense.
“Everything goes around me, I feel like I’m one of those players where I have a high IQ,” Miller said. “My effect on the ball, it’s just contagious. I love to win … everything has to run through me.”
