Tag Archives: Orlando Magic

Mike Miller- NBA Rookie of the Year

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Following the 2000 college national championship game thousands of Gator fans held up this sign at a celebration in the Odome on campus to encourage Mike Miller to stay at Florida another year.

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In March of 2000, University of Florida Sophomore forward Mike Miller sank the final shot in the 69-68 buzzer beater against Butler to take the Gator Basketball Team from the Final Four to the National Championship game.  The dramatic win led to a celebratory pile-up on the basketball court.   The Gators lost to Michigan State in the championship game.  Despite the loss the city of Gainesville held a celebration for the team in the Odome.  Despite the pleas from Gator fans to play one more year at UF, Mike Miller went pro with the Orlando Magic.  He was the 5th overall pick in the first round of the NBA draft in 2000.  As Donna Green-Townsend reports, after another successful year on the hard court, Miller became the NBA rookie of the year.  From my audio archives from the summer of 2001

Miller currently plays for the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA.   He has also played for the Minnesota TimberwolvesWashington Wizards, and Miami Heat. Not only was he named the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2001, but also the NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 2006. Miller won back to back NBA titles with the Miami Heat in 2012 and 2013.