ASU basketball: Exciting transfer guard denied eligibility

Arizona State redshirt junior guard Adam Miller had his transfer waiver denied by the NCAA yesterday. Miller transferred to ASU basketball from LSU in the fall and has been waiting on the NCAA’s decision on his waiver.

ASU is now eight games into its season, and already injury-depleted. It will now continue to be without Miller, who was expected to be a starter and have a large role for the Sun Devils this season.

Adam Miller denied a waiver to play for ASU basketball

Earlier this year, the NCAA voted to limit transfer waivers for student-athletes who were transferring for a second time. However, they made an exception for players to apply if an injury or mental health condition caused their transfer. This was the case for Miller, yet the NCAA still denied his waiver.

“Despite Adam’s diligence and dedication to providing the NCAA any additional information they needed for his mental health case,” ASU head coach Bobby Hurley said. “..his waiver was still denied.”

This has been a major storyline throughout college athletics. Many student-athletes attempting a second transfer have had their waivers denied. Several players have had to wait months to get their decision and have all the ‘criteria’ necessary outlined by the NCAA, but have still been denied eligibility.

“After spending the last few months with Adam as we awaited the decision, I know this news does not come easy for him,” Hurley said. “My primary focus is Adam’s mental health and ensuring he has the proper support and care during this difficult process.”

Miller will appeal the decision, as his final chance at gaining eligibility to play this season.

“I know Adam and his family will look to appeal and fight for what is right,” Hurley said. “We will continue to support him both privately and publicly as we seek to appeal this decision by the NCAA.”

Miller’s college basketball history

Miller played his freshman season at Illinois. He started 29 of the 31 games he played in, shooting nearly 40 percent from the field. Miller averaged over eight points and nearly three rebounds per game.

In 2021, Miller transferred to LSU. He tore his ACL and was unable to play, redshirting his first season with the Tigers. Miller started every game for the Tigers and led the team averaging 33 minutes per game in the 2022-2023 season. He averaged 11.5 points per game and shot nearly 83 percent from the free-throw line.

Miller would be a key piece for the Sun Devils to add depth at the guard position and reliability at the free throw line. But for the foreseeable future, ASU will have to continue to rely on heavy minutes from junior guard Frankie Collins, graduate student guard Jose Perez, and junior guard/forward Jamiya Neal.

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