By Ryan Deal 

605 Sports

A basketball lifer, Mike Miller is still around the game. 

The Mitchell Kernel great guided the Houston High School boys basketball team to the Tennessee Class AAA state championship in March. He stepped away after his only season with the Mustangs, but he’s still active in the game and has started his own sports agency, Lift Sports Management. 

“I represent a lot of kids that are coming out to the NBA and I am just trying to hopefully help them with my experiences that I lived in this life,” Miller told 605 Sports. 

Miller clients include current NBA players R.J. Hampton (Orlando Magic), Aaron Henry (Philadelphia 76ers) and Javonte Smart (Milwaukee Bucks).

𝐿𝑒𝓉 𝐼𝓉 𝐹𝓁𝓎 𝟣𝟥 pic.twitter.com/gbNRLZBIV9

— LIFT Sports (@LIFTSPORTSMNGMT) December 2, 2021

“At the end of the day, everything they are doing I have lived,” Miller added about his new role. “So anything that can help with experience-wise, understanding the game, understanding routines, how to get better, how to be professional and all that stuff — is a lot of fun.”

In addition to his tutelage off the court, Miller works out his clients on the hardwood, giving him another basketball outlet.   

“That’s what I like about it,” Miller, 41, said. “I still train the kids. So I am on the floor with them and getting them ready for pre-draft stuff. In the summertime, I train with them. So just being on the floor, being into basketball and still being engaged is a lot of fun.”

This week, Miller was back in South Dakota for the Hoop City Classic, which was originally the Mike Miller Classic before a name change in 2018. 

Miller, along with cousin and Hoop City Classic Director Ernie Kuyper, have been instrumental in bringing in high-level players and teams for the event. 

“This is what it’s all about,” Miller said. “I love it for these kids to see this kind of experience. It’s a lot of fun for them, too.”

Mavrick Miller, right, dribbles the ball in the Hoop City Classic on Wednesday at the Sanford Pentagon. (Rodney Haas / 605 Sports)

The new position also allows Miller to be active in his three kids’ activities. Miller’s oldest son, Mason, is redshirting at the University of Creighton. Miller’s other son, Mavrick, is a 6-foot-4 junior guard for the Mustangs. He finished with seven points in Houston’s 71-41 loss against Totino-Grace (Minn.) on Tuesday at the Corn Palace. Mavrick logged 10 points and eight rebounds in Houston’s 57-52 loss against Thunder Basin (Wyo.) on Wednesday at the Sanford Pentagon. 

“He’s just continuing to get better,” Miller said. “Hopefully he will stretch out a little bit more, but he’s getting better and he’s working.” 

Miller and wife, Jennifer, also stay busy with 10-year-old daughter, Jaelyn, who Mike said is also taking an interest in basketball. 

“She is, but she does a little bit of everything right now, which keeps us on our toes,” Miller said. 

Mavrick Miller plays in the Hoop City Classic on Tuesday at the Corn Palace. (Rodney Haas / 605 Sports)