The only sure thing for Archie Miller is that he will have his work cut out for him from day one - and that’s especially true on the recruiting trail. In today’s AAU-focused trajectory for high-major talent, relationships are important with not only players, but AAU coaches as well. Luckily, Miller is no rookie to this game. He comes in with important recruiting experience at both the high and mid-major levels. While an assistant at Arizona, Miller was key in bringing in future first-round picks Derrick Williams and Solomon Hill.
As he starts his tenure in Bloomington, Miller will undoubtedly look to extend an olive branch to the power AAU programs of the state (Eric Gordon All-Stars, Indiana Elite, Spiece Indy Heat, etc.) as he attempts to repair frayed relations and re-establish an in-state pipeline. At the same time, Miller can only do so much. Sponsorships under which each AAU program is signed have become more influential than ever. Players grow accustomed to wearing certain types of brands and associate the brands as a part of their game, and while it would appear to be a minor detail in the big scheme of picking a college, these sponsorships have become yet another component to recruitments that seems to be carrying increasing amounts of significance by the day. Among the three programs listed above, both the Eric Gordon All-Stars and Indiana Elite are sponsored by Adidas. With IU as an Adidas school, do not be surprised to see Miller focus on players from Adidas-sponsored AAU programs.
As he starts his tenure in Bloomington, Miller will undoubtedly look to extend an olive branch to the power AAU programs of the state (Eric Gordon All-Stars, Indiana Elite, Spiece Indy Heat, etc.) as he attempts to repair frayed relations and re-establish an in-state pipeline. At the same time, Miller can only do so much. Sponsorships under which each AAU program is signed have become more influential than ever. Players grow accustomed to wearing certain types of brands and associate the brands as a part of their game, and while it would appear to be a minor detail in the big scheme of picking a college, these sponsorships have become yet another component to recruitments that seems to be carrying increasing amounts of significance by the day. Among the three programs listed above, both the Eric Gordon All-Stars and Indiana Elite are sponsored by Adidas. With IU as an Adidas school, do not be surprised to see Miller focus on players from Adidas-sponsored AAU programs.
