Where will TCU basketball turn to fill the void left by Mike Miles’ departure?
TCU basketball is losing its leading scorer.
Mike Miles officially declared for the 2022 NBA Draft on Wednesday afternoon and told the Star-Telegram that he is “all-in” pursuing his professional dreams.
Miles’ departure leaves a significant void for TCU to fill this offseason. Miles averaged a team-leading 15.4 points and drew the most attention from opposing defenses.
TCU will be scouring the NCAA’s transfer portal, as well as evaluating internal options, as it goes about replacing Miles.
A possible point guard option for TCU in the portal is LSU transfer Adam Miller. TCU coach Jamie Dixon coached Miller on the Team USA U19 team that won the gold medal last summer. A source indicated that TCU’s staff and Miller already had a meeting scheduled for Wednesday.
Miller, if healthy, would be a significant addition for TCU. Miller spent his first college season with Illinois in 2020-21, averaging 8.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.8 assists in 25.5 minutes per game. He then transferred to LSU but missed last season after tearing his ACL.
With LSU firing coach Will Wade late in the season, Miller re-entered the portal this week. Again, it’s unclear how strong of a contender TCU will become but it should at least have its foot in the door with the Team USA connection between Miller and Dixon.
Several other notable point guards are in — or will enter — the portal this offseason too. With as much freedom as Dixon allows his guards to play with, TCU should be on the short list for several looking for a new home.
The Frogs have internal options as well.
Damion Baugh will be going into his senior season and should develop more this offseason. If Baugh becomes the primary ball handler, he’ll have to cut down on his turnovers (3.3 per game) and improve his outside shot (27% from 3-point range).
Shahada Wells is another current player on the roster expected to return as a super senior. Wells, who transferred from UT Arlington last offseason, missed most of this season with an injury. He averaged 3.8 assists and shot 39.3% from deep during the 2020-21 season at UTA.
Wells played in only seven games this season, averaging 1.9 points in 7.3 minutes per game with the Frogs.
Evans moving on
TCU is not expecting guard Maxwell Evans to return next season.
Evans, a transfer from Vanderbilt last offseason, played in only four games before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery.
Scholarship watch
TCU has three scholarships available for now.
Evans, Miles, Francisco Farabello and Harrison Young are all departures who were on scholarship. One of those scholarships is going to incoming freshman PJ Haggerty of Crosby while the other three could be used on high school or transfer players in the coming weeks.
