Cornell senior basketball player and two-time first team All-Ivy selection Shonn Miller has decided to play at the University of Connecticut after he graduates. Despite only playing three seasons with the Big Red, he will finish out his college eligibility in Storrs due the Ivy League’s rules about not allowing graduate students to play. The 2011-12 Ivy League Rookie of the Year missed all of his junior season after having offseason shoulder surgery.
The 6’7″ Euclid, Ohio native has been the brightest star on a Cornell basketball team that hasn’t had much success since 2010’s Sweet 16 run. One of the best two-way players in the Ivy League the past few years, he averaged 12.5 ppg and 7.2 rpg in 85 career games for the Big Red. His return to the court this year helped Cornell increase its win total by 11 games from last season, one of the biggest turnarounds in all of college basketball. After leading the team with 16.8 points and 8.5 rebounds per game in his senior year, he became one of the most sought-after transfer recruits in the country.
UConn will be getting one of the best all-around players in recent Cornell history. Not only did he lead the team in scoring and rebounding this year, but he also led in blocked shots (55) and steals (38), while becoming the first player in Cornell history to amass 100 blocks and 100 steals in a career. His efforts on the defensive side of the floor led to being one of the 26 members elected to this year’s Lefty Drisell All-America team, which recognizes the best defensive players in college basketball. During his time on the Hill, Miller also developed into a very well-rounded offensive threat, with the ability to both post up and play the perimeter, while showing a knack for explosive dunks. He shot 43% from the field this year, while also finishing second in the Ivy League with an 83.4% free throw percentage.
Miller will try to help UConn, the 2014 National Champion, return to the NCAA Tournament. The Huskies had to settle for the NIT this past season after finishing 20-15, with a 10-8 record in AAC play.
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