Nate Miles, the talented and well-traveled 6-foot-7 guard/forward from Toledo, Ohio, was granted eligibility by the NCAA Thursday, according to his legal guardian, Sean Patterson.
After more than six months of investigation by the NCAA into the transcript of Miles, Patterson finally got the call and the word he was waiting for Thursday.
"I'm just so happy for Nate,"
Patterson said. "It's been an unbelievable process. Nate's dream has always been to go to UConn and play for a Hall of Fame coach, and that's something he needs. Nate kept his word and UConn kept its word, too. If he didn't want to go to UConn we could have stopped this whole process when it got difficult and sent him to a junior college or just have him enter the [NBA] draft."
Miles, who has attended five high schools and graduated from The Patterson School in North Carolina in January, now becomes the fifth member of the Huskies' recruiting class. The plan is for him to be enrolled and on campus by June 23, when the second summer session begins.
UConn has five incoming recruits, with Kemba Walker, Ater Majok, Charles Okwandu and Scottie Haralson joining Miles. The Huskies have four scholarships available, so another player will have to transfer for all the freshmen to fit on the roster. Coach Jim Calhoun has recently hinted that small forward Stanley Robinson's future with the team is in question. Robinson would be a junior if he returns.
In Miles, 20, the Huskies are adding a scorer with range and a playmaker who can play three positions. Miles has missed significant time in high school because of multiple transfers and an ill sister. Patterson said that although getting Miles into UConn was difficult, he would not be a problem now that he has made it.
"Nate has had a lot of last chances but this is also the first time he's had an opportunity like this,"
Patterson said. "He's going to have structure, study halls, a coaching staff and a lot of other kids around him with goals, regular meals. In this day and age, with the Internet, you hear a lot of rumors about kids and come to conclusions. He's gone through a lot of unfortunate circumstances and he's not perfect. But he's never been in an atmosphere like he's going to be in at UConn."
Miles, who has met with the admissions office and athletic department heads at UConn, hasn't played much organized basketball the past two years.
"Let me tell you, that's not a problem,"
Patterson said. "It doesn't matter. He's been working out and he's in great shape. Basketball has always been the least of my concerns with Nate."
