By LARRY VAUGHT
larry@amnews.com

Darius Miller thinks he played well during tryouts for the USA Under-19 National Team. However, he admits he wasn’t the only one who did that.

“Things went well for me, but there is a lot of competition. I think I have done well, but everybody has. The talent here is unbelievable,” said Miller Thursday after the team’s final practice in Colorado Springs, Colo., at the U.S. Olympic Training Center.

Pittsburgh coach Jamie Dixon must today pared the roster from 17 players to 12 who made the team that will play in the World Championships in New Zealand next month and Miller is one of the 12.

“It is an incredible feeling. I never really dreamed about being able to represent the country, and it’s a great honor to be part of it. It’s a great feeling, really,” Miller said.

“I just tried to play  my game. I tried to play an all-around game and play defense, rebound and do what the coaches wanted me to do.

Even before he knew he made the team, Miller said it was a worthwhile experience for him.

“No matter what happens, it has been a great experience for me,” Miller, who will be a sophomore at Kentucky, said. “I’m just happy to be here because this is an opportunity that not a lot of people get. It’s really an honor to be invited to maybe play for your country. That’s why no matter how it turns out, it has been a great experience for me.”

Miller says playing with players like Seth Curry of Duke, Drew Gordon of UCLA, Tyshawn Taylor of Kansas, Terrico White of Mississippi, Shelvin Mack of Butler and others can only enhance his play next season at UK under new coach John Calipari.

“It will help me a lot. I have had a chance to play with a lot of great players and learn from them. I have learned a lot from the coaches because they let us have freedom to show what we can do, but they also push us and teach us. I try to listen to everything they tell me,” Miller said.

“I think being here also shows me that all the hard work I have done since last season ended is paying off and the work I am doing here will pay off for me next season.”
Miller admits he never anticipated being invited to try out for the team even though he had a solid freshman season at Kentucky when he averaged 5.3 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.

“I never thought about this happening. I never even let myself dream about playing on any Team USA,” Miller said. “When I got out here, it was kind of overwhelming really. I never thought I would get a chance to be part of something like this or experience anything like this. It’s just great.”

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