TCU’s Mike Miles mulling decision on future: ‘I don’t know if I’m quite ready to leave’
TCU star Mike Miles has not made a decision on his basketball future.
Miles told the Star-Telegram that he’s still mulling whether to return for his junior season at TCU, or pursue a professional career.
“I’ve thought about it, obviously,” Miles said as the basketball team had a meet-and-greet with fans before the baseball team’s 14-5 victory over Kansas State on Saturday at Lupton Stadium.
“I haven’t made a clear decision. Obviously I love TCU, but the decision will come in the next week or so. Whatever I choose will be the best path for me.”
Miles, 19, expects to make a decision shortly before or after the Final Four. He sounded torn on what to do.
Events such as Saturday with his teammates are reasons to continue enjoying the college experience and return for another potential March Madness run next year. The Frogs are coming off a historic season in which they won a program-record five games against ranked teams and ended a 35-year drought between NCAA Tournament victories.
The outlook for next season is even more promising with every player who saw meaningful minutes eligible to return.
“This is my home. I love it here,” Miles said. “It’s a brotherhood here. We changed this school this year, and I don’t know if I’m quite ready to leave yet. But we’ll see what decision I make.”
Miles has at least one voice in his ear pushing him to return to school — his mom Mickey.
“For the record, I want him to come back,” Mickey said, smiling.
Miles doesn’t necessarily disagree, acknowledging he has room to grow. He is viewed as a borderline draft pick at this point.
However, he could boost his stock through the draft process if he tests well. Or returning to school may be the best route as far as his long-term professional aspirations.
Miles battled injuries to both of his wrists in the second half of the season, although he still led the team in scoring with 15.4 points per game.
Miles could improve his outside shot with his field goal percentage (38.2%) and 3-point percentage (29.5%) dipping from his true freshman season in 2020-21. Miles could also work on his handle after averaging 2.8 turnovers per game.
In the season-ending overtime loss to Arizona, Miles had 20 points on 5-for-20 shooting with three assists, two rebounds and six turnovers.
One of those turnovers came on the last possession in regulation in which there was a no-call on a potential defensive foul by Arizona’s Dalen Terry. Even though losing in that fashion stung, Miles said seeing Arizona fall to Houston in the Sweet 16 helped him get over TCU’s loss.
“I was watching the whole game. I got over it a little more,” Miles said. “Before that, nah, I was still on it.”
Now Miles is hanging on what to do next season. He could test the NBA Draft waters and still return to school, but he sounded like a player who would make one decision and stick with it.
“If I do decide to go that (NBA) path, I want to be all-in with both feet,” Miles said. “I do think my game is ready for the next level. I work hard, and I believe in my talent. If I do make that decision to go that way, I’d be fully confident in my abilities.
“We’ll see which one I choose.”
