Despite achieving a historic honor, TCU forward Emanuel Miller is still hungry for more
He didn’t know it at the time, but when Emanuel Miller decided to return to TCU, he set in motion him joining an elite club of former Horned Frogs.
Last week, Miller became one of just four TCU players to have been named preseason All-Big 12 joining former stars like Desmond Bane, Mike Miles Jr. and Vladimir Brodziansky to have earned such an honor.
At Big 12 media days on Wednesday, Miller shed light on how much that honor meant to him.
“It means a lot, but it’s also humbling,” Miller said. “Just knowing the guys that also have been picked as a preseason All-Big 12 player. It’s a great accomplishment, I’m honored to be recognized for my talent, but I’m more excited to get things going with my guys.”
Miller has come a long way during his tenure as a Horned Frog. When he arrived from Texas A&M two seasons ago, he was more of an undersized big man, regularly spending time at the five for the Aggies.
TCU coach Jamie Dixon believed Miller had potential as a wing and he’s seen Miller take tremendous strides as one of the key anchors for the last two NCAA Tournament teams.
“He’s improved a lot as a player and done the things we’ve asked him to do,” Dixon said. “We’ve done things that he’s asked us to do like letting him play on the perimeter and getting opportunities to handle and shoot the ball.”
Miller averaged 12.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game last year while also shooting 50% from the field. Miller is the second-highest returning scorer and rebounder in the Big 12.
He also made a big leap as a three-point shooter, knocking down 39% of his attempts after only making 24% the year prior. As impressive as that was, Dixon believes Miller still has another level he can reach as a shooter.
“I’m still trying to encourage him to shoot more open 3s,” Dixon said. “He’s trying to be the guy that also guard on the perimeter and be the best. I think defensively he can be great defending on the perimeter.”
Dixon’s willingness to push Miller was a factor in him returning to school. He received positive feedback during the NBA Draft process about where he needed to grow and who better to trust with that process than Dixon?
“I shot a good percentage (from 3) last year, I shot 39 but that was just on 1.6 attempts per game,” Miller said. “Dixon has been harping on me along with the coaching staff and the rest of my teammates honestly, to just shoot the ball more. You have the percentages, we know you can shoot the ball, so just shoot the ball more.”
Miller being more aggressive will be essential to this TCU team finding success with Miles and Damion Baugh pursuing pro dreams.
He fed off the energy and playmaking ability of the Horned Frogs’ dynamic guard pairing, but now he’ll be the one setting the tone for the Horned Frogs as he takes on a bigger leadership role.
“He’s respected by his teammates, he’s vocal, but not a rah-rah guy,” Dixon said. “He’s the kind of guy that steps in when it’s not going right and voices his thoughts then. I kind of like that, his toughness shines and comes through. His intensity shows on the court, he’s that type of leader.”
Becoming a better shooter and ballhandler are all important to Miller and his draft prospects, but there’s another area that his focus and it might be even more important than those on the court skills.
“Just being a great teammate,” Miller said. “At the end of the day a great teammate comes before being a great player. I think collectively as a team my guys have my back and I have theirs.”
Clearly Miller has embraced that role and in talking to him it almost sounds like Miller is becoming another coach on the floor.
He knows what Dixon wants and expects and has gone out of his way to help this group that includes seven new faces (five transfers, two freshmen) begin to find its identity.
“I think we’re getting a great feel with the rest of the guys,” Miller said. “Now that we’re understanding the new guys’ game, we’re starting to gel. When you think of Dixon’s teams at Pittsburgh they’re all grit, rebounding, defensive hard-nosed guys. I think this team shows a true characteristic of what Dixon looks for in a team.”
His on the court production and what he brings as a leader has TCU believing it can still contend in a Big 12 that’s gotten even deeper this season.
Most importantly for Dixon, having Miller back isn’t just good for his team, in his mind it’s also great for the Fort Worth community.
“He loves TCU,” Dixon said. “He’s great and I think he recognized how much TCU meant to him at last year’s NCAA Tournament. His experience at TCU has been great and he means a lot to our program and to our school.”
