After taking a hiatus due to COVID last year, the 2021 Tarkanian Classic returned with 175+ teams spread across multiple gyms in Las Vegas, NV over the span of a week. Featuring elite basketball competition in prep and high school divisions, the must-see annual December high school tournament provided evaluators an opportunity to watch the prestigious NBA Academies in Africa and Latin America in addition to programs from around the U.S., Canada, and even Germany.
Pro Insight was on hand to cover the event and caught up with Vyctorius Miller of Crean Lutheran HS (CA). Only a sophomore, Miller registered 30 points in the semis over Bingham (UT), and 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists to carry Crean Lutheran over a tough John Paul II (TX) team in the Nike Division Championship. Named as the Nike Division MVP at the Tarkanian Classic, the 6’5” guard brings positional size, versatility and upside as a self-creator, playmaker, and off-the-dribble scorer. He’s certainly made strides since our first interview together.
As part of the Pro Insight Q&A series, Miller discussed words of confidence he received from LeBron, the significance of some of his tattoos, how he would build a basketball team if he were GM, and more.
For the next installment of the Pro Insight Q&A series, we present 2024 prospect Vyctorius Miller, from Los Angeles, California:
Pro Insight: Off the top, do you prefer to be called Vyctorius or VJ?
Vyctorius Miller: I like Vyctorius more, for sure.
PI: What is the origin of your name Vyctorius?
VM: I don’t know. My parents just named it. I mean my name is Vyctorius Jesus Miller, so I feel like I'm destined to be great. I don't know. That name, it just has so much powerful meaning to it.
PI: How did you get to where you are today?
VM: Definitely me just being level minded and just nonstop work. I mean eat, sleep, ball — that’s really it.
PI: In our first interview with you, we talked a bit about your family. What is your family like? Obviously they're super talented.
VM: Yeah, definitely competitive. We’ll be like “ohh how [many] points did you have? Did y'all team win?” It’s just like non-stop competition and that's why I feel like I got my competitive nature from.
PI: What are your current measurements?
VM: I'm 6’5”. I'm not sure my wingspan, I'm 175 [pounds].
PI: What are your short term goals?
VM: First, just win state and CIF and then hopefully get Gatorade Player of the Year someday — someday down on the line.
PI: What are your plans for the upcoming AAU season?
VM: I'm not sure, yet. I mean, there's a lot of teams, a lot of teams from Cali, Arizona, Nevada, so I don't know. We got to see.
PI: What are you looking for in an AAU program?
VM: Definitely winning, winning for sure. That's the main thing, just winning.
PI: Is there increased pressure that comes with being nationally ranked?
VM: I mean, kinda…it was pressure when I was young, maybe like eighth grade. But now I'm kind of getting used to it.
PI: What’s your recruitment update?
VM: I got Kansas, Arizona, Arizona State, Cal Poly, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Georgetown. I got a few more, but that’s just off the ones [at the top of my head].
PI: Who have you been hearing from the most, lately?
VM: It's really hard for them to hit me up. I mean ‘cause I’m in-season right now so they're trying a little not to right now. Maybe down the line they'll start hitting me up, but yeah, they're trying anything they can, though.
PI: There are a lot more post-grad options available these days with G League Ignite, OTE, and NBL, among others. Have you and your family done much research into those opportunities?
VM: Oh yeah, for sure. I mean, there's all good options. I'm just…I mean, when I get to the senior year, we'll figure that out and whatever is the best option.
PI: What's the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
VM: Probably from LeBron. He said “no one can guard you. Keep getting buckets.”
PI: Who are your favorite music artists?
VM: Yeah, NBA YoungBoy for sure. Lil Baby, Rod Wave, one of those.
PI: You have one hashtag to describe yourself. What is it?
VM: Ohh, that's a good one. I don't know, that's a good one (laughs). #buckets, it’s simple.
PI: You have some unique tattoos, talk about the significance of some of those.
VM: Yeah, I mean this one says “realize everyone ain't loyal” (pointing to his upper body). I mean people come in your life and sometimes they're not there to stay. You don't know their true intentions, and then I got this cross right here (pointing to his right wrist) that says…it's like a little math equation. This G stands for God and then this right here — over everything. God over everything. And then, yeah, that's that. And then I got this — this is the date of my mom and dad’s marriage. My dad is Silkk the Shocker so that’s why I got a lightning bolt right there and then the rose means love, so I got my mom right there on there, and then yeah.
PI: I feel like the cross is my favorite. Super cool.
VM: Yeah, all my family has that tattoo.
PI: What is your biggest pet peeve?
VM: Bad refs, bad refs. I mean, we just had it today. Yeah, bad refs.
PI: How would you define the word ‘success?’
VM: Everything. I mean, just move your family out. Just getting them out and then have your family retired. That's success to me. And just having other people around you get uplifted and get motivated as well.
PI: If you weren’t pursuing a career as a professional hooper, what do you think you would choose to do?
VM: Oh, I'll probably be a GM for an NBA team someday.
PI: Who would you build your team around?
VM: Definitely two good bigs, two superstars, and one good shooter.
PI: Where do you see yourself in five years?
VM: Hopefully in the league. Hopefully in the league, chilling, being one of the greats.
PI: At the end of the day, what do you hope to be remembered for?
VM: Just a good person. Someone that can make anybody laugh. Just someone that can brighten someone’s day and definitely be like something like Kobe. Just like how he left a big mark, RIP to him…and then someday have my own shoe and then someday have my own gym and have my own team and hopefully be a GM. I feel like I'm a good recruiter.
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