HOOPSCOUT EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH UK U-18 SENSATION LIANNE MILLER 6'3" Center - UK U-18 National Team John Jordan - Director - Girlshoopscout.com Lianne lives in South Hampton which is about an hour train ride from London. She is widely considered to be one of the top young post talents in Europe. A very bright student who is also a very physical and solid player. She was a member of the 16-Under National Team but was recently asked to move up to the U-18 team yet she is only 16 years old. Hoop Scout considers her to be a young lady with high major potential in the United States. She is a rising junior in her country and is considering attending high school in the United States. Funny thing, I know a school in Western North Carolina that would be happy to host her. Lianne visited North Carolina soon after this interview to take part along with her UK Club (Solent Stars) in the UNC/Wilmington Team Camp. Q - When did you start playing basketball? A. I started playing basketball when I was 9 years old. Playing for my parents Saturday club down where we live. Q - What is your greatest accomplishment in the sport so far? A. Playing for my country at the both u16 and u18. Q- Who are the pro players you look up to and try to emulate on the court. A. Lisa Leslie and Candice Parker, who both play for LA Sparks. Q,- Which WNBA or NBA player would you say you most admire and way? A. Lisa Leslie, because she sets high standards for herself, which inspires her team to do the same. When she’s on the court she’s calm and relaxed, but focused. Off the court she doesn’t forget that she’s a female and is humble. Whenever her team mates need advice or help she’s there to help them. Q - I know you had a tough injury and have been recovering from that, tell me about that and what you learned from it? A. When it happened, I felt low and that everything I had been working for that year was a waste of time, because I got into the u16 England team when I was 14 and got picked for the European championships and couldn’t attend. As time went on and I was watching my team mates play, I became to think about how fortunate I was when I was playing and I decided when I get back and play that I was going to be the best player I could be, even though I had been out for 1 ½ yrs, which meant focusing on what I wanted. . Q - What do you want to do with basketball in your future and how does they play into your educational goals. A I want to play NCAA div 1 basketball, to lead me to playing in the WNBA. Educational wise I would like to study sport therapy and have my own practise, once my basketball career is finished. Q - Give me a list of the teams you have played on in the last couple of years. I believe I have it down to the Solent Stars and the 16U UK National Team and most recently the UK 18U National Team. A. Solent – u16, div 2 women England u16 Q- As I understand it you are a younger player (17) but have been invited to play with the older national team. What does that opportunity mean to you? A I won’t be 17 till November. Playing in the older age groups it makes a name for myself the fact I can play with older players, still at a good standard. Also creates a challenge that gives me something to focus on. Once I am at the age for the age group I feel a step ahead of everyone else, and I’ve had the experience, which helps me to help and encourage new players. ****Colleges - For more information or contact information on Lianne, feel free to contact me. |
