Jordan Brand Classic Notes: Dane Miller Injured, Kevin Parrom Weighing Options

The Jordan Brand Regional Team held its first practice today and some of the leading stories revolved around Rutgers commit Dane Miller and Xavier commit Kevin Parrom….Here’s the update.

Miller, a 6-foot-5, 205-pound wing out of Rochester (N.Y.) Rush-Henrietta High, said he may miss Saturday’s game at Madison Square Garden due to a rotator cuff injury suffered at the end of his high school season.

“I don’t know [if I can play],” Miller said Tuesday by phone. “The doctor asked me where the pain was and he checked me out a couple times and said it was my rotator cuff.”

Miller said his doctor would re-examine the shoulder Wednesday in Rochester and then make a decision whether or not he could play.

“He’s all iced up and sore as hell,” said Mickey Walker, Miller’s AAU coach. “He’s going to see the doctor tomorrow. I know he wants to play.”

Miller averaged 21 points, 15 rebounds, 6 assists and 3.5 blocks for a Rush Henrietta team that finished 20-3 and lost in the sectional final to Gates Chili. Miller had 25 points and 12 boards in the final despite injuring his shoulder.

“I went to block a shot,” he said. “I went baseline for a dunk. The kid grabbed my arm but I fell back on it. I can’t put weight on it. I’ve been out for a while since the season ended.”

Miller said he was told he will get significant playing time at the three position at Rutgers.

“Right now I’m pencilled in as the starter at the three,” he said.

Miller said he’s looking forward to helping Rutgers move up in the Big East rankings after finishing 2-16 this past season.

“It looks real bright,” Miller said. “In a year or two or three years instead of being at the bottom of the Big East, we’ll probably be at the top.”

PARROM SITUATION UP IN THE AIR

Kevin Parrom of South Kent (Conn.) is playing in the Regional Game and his status is up in the air because Xavier recently lost head coach Sean Miller to Arizona and then replaced him with assistant Chris Mack, who will be introduced Wednesday at 1 p.m.

Asked what his plans were, the 6-5 Parrom said, “I have no comment right now.”

Parrom could ask for a release from his Letter of Intent and choose to follow Miller and assistant Book Richardson to Arizona, or he could choose another school altogether. Or he could remain at Xavier.

A report Wednesday said that Parrom had already slated visits to Rhode Island and Providence on Monday, but a Providence source said that was completely untrue.

“Anyone that would let a kid step on their campus without a release should be shot,” the source said.

Parrom has yet to speak with Mack and ask for a release, according to sources.

Once Mack speaks with Parrom, the player could then choose to ask for a release and the school could grant one.

But the source said Xavier would never let Parrom go to Rhode Island or another A-10 school.

“Xavier’s not going to release the kid to an Atlantic 10 school,” the source said. “Why the [heck] would they do that?

“If the kid gets released, I’m sure he’s going to want to put Arizona on his list and a bunch of Big East schools.”

Before deciding his future, Parrom is excited to play in the game at Madison Square Garden.

“I’m very excited about playing in Madison Square Garden,” he said. “I can’t wait.”