With her team mired in a grueling WNBA Finals with the New York Liberty, it can be difficult to find time for much else.
Still – that is what Diamond Miller managed to do prior to Game 3 of the Finals.
Miller took part in a Jr. WNBA event that took place in Minneapolis at the Courts at Mayo Clinic Square. In addition to the second-year player out of Maryland taking part, Minnesota Lynx rookie Alissa Pili was also part of the event. Along with Miller and Pili, there was also a panel discussion that was hosted by Carley Knox, President of Basketball Operations for the Lynx.
We caught up with Miller following the camp and she expressed that it meant a lot to her to have the opportunity to mold the next crop of young hoopers – especially considering it was not that long ago that she was in a similar position.
The goal why I do basketball is to inspire the next generation. So, if they just get a little second of me, I hope they really enjoyed it because I really did and I hope they really cherish this moment and want to be a basketball player in the future.
–Diamond Miller, Minnesota Lynx guard to Beyond The W
Of course, every current hoops great has a story of when they were coming up from the grassroots. Miller herself played her high school basketball at Franklin HS in northern New Jersey – meaning she grew up watching Liberty contests.
The Lynx guard recollects one of her camp experiences – and how it included an opportunity to watch the Tri-State’s favorite women’s basketball team do what they do best.
I actually did and it was a Liberty game. I will never forget it. They gave us basketballs and everything. It was the first time I realized people play in the W and it was really a special moment for me and me and my parents still talk about that to this day to be honest.
–Diamond Miller, Minnesota Lynx guard to Beyond The W
Of course, the experience for Miller is different than women’s basketball players who came through the ranks in previous eras – without a WNBA. Miller expressed how thankful she is that her journey through northern New Jersey as well as at Maryland could culminate in where she is today – in the professional ranks.
I guess I got lucky I was just born and the W was here already. So to imagine a life without it is something I don’t want to ever imagine. And I’m happy that people have role models. I had role models when I was younger and now the younger generation has role models and we’re just going to continue to grow it and get it better – as best as we can.
–Diamond Miller, Minnesota Lynx guard to Beyond The W
Miller has had an impressive and noteworthy start to her WNBA career. Last season – in her rookie campaign with Minnesota, she played in (and started) 32 games and averaged 12.1 points a contest. She has played in 21 games this season (including four starts) and her team is two victories shy of a WNBA championship. Her impact on the W is just getting started.
