Reggie Miller

When you think of basketball players you might just think of black guys that can jump high and dunk. Well, this is only one aspect of the game. You forget about the guys that stand thirty five feet from the hoop and shoot threes; these are what the game memories are made of. In 1987, 1st round pick Reggie Miller, would change the game forever.

On August 24th, 1965 a new member of the Miller family was born: his name was Reggie and he was born fourth of five children. He was born and raised in the small town of Riverside, California. The Millers, being an extremely athletic family, were surprised by the appearance of Reggie, since, as a kid, he suffered with a disability that affected his mobility. That didn’t stop Reggie from persevering to be the best, though.

Taught by his sister he learned his basketball skills, and after the basics it was uphill from there. Cheryl, his sister, who played for U.S.C. was a basketball hero in Riverside, but Reggie needed to be the best. Of course he was, and still is, what some people say is the best guard of all time, comparing him to players like Michae l Jordan, Lebron James, and Allen Iverson.

In the 1987 draft, Reggie Miller was picked 11th in the first round, selected by the Pacers. Yet the guard from UCLA still strived to be the best. He won the Rookie of the Year Award in the 1987-88 season.

Reggie Miller’s career continued to shine. He played in the 2002 Olympics, and in 5 all-star games. He was the first Pacer to start in the all-star game.

Despite Reggie’s perfect outward appearance as a happy, loving, basketball player, he still had his troubles: his house burned down, and his constant conflicts with major New York Knicks fan, Spike Lee. These affected his game. In New York at a Knicks game things got out of control; whenever Reggie Miller made a shot Spike Lee would yell at him on the court.

Reggie Miller is a hero to me because of his devotion to his team and because he never gave up. Now Reggie is retired and still volunteers at the boys and girls club in Indiana where he is known as "Uncle Reggie." From a small crippled boy to a 6 foot 7 inch man who has a burning passion for the Pacers and basketball, and still loves life the same way.