Scouting Report: Ian Miletic

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Shaka filled his left-hander quota with this next prospect. I've watched three full length HS games, including one game where the opponent played mostly zone.

Physical and Athletic Profile

6-7/185
Wingspan unknown, but I'd estimate about 6-11.

Ian is a decent athlete and can dunk with ease. Not a high flyer or the fastest prospect around, but he has functional athleticism. Quicker and more athletic than the HS versions of Sam Hauser and David Joplin.

Needs to add strength in college. Appears to have good length, but not the widest frame. Max weight probably in the 205-210 range.

Offensive strengths

Very good shooter, with nice elevation and a high release.  Shooting motion reminds me of Tyler Kolek (junior and senior year).

Solid ball handler. Comfortable leading the break or attacking in the half court. A good safety valve against full court pressure.

Surprisingly good passer. Delivers the ball with accuracy and a nice zip. Has the vision to help out as a secondary playmaker.

Made two passes that really stood out. 1) In transition, he threw a pass from the backcourt, over the top of the defense, to an open shooter in the corner. 2) Drove baseline, hang in the air under the basket, and delivered a left-handed pass to an open shooter on the wing. The latter once again reminded of Kolek.

Moves well on offense, comes off screens hard, will be involved in ball screens as both the ball handler and the screener.

Comfortable playing with his back to the basket, usually from the high post, but occasionally lower. Can both score and pass from post ups.

Nice touch, including use of a one handed floater over the defense.

Understands offensive positioning against a zone defense. Flashes to the free throw line to receive passes; can shoot, pass, or attack of the dribble from here. Also rotates back out to the perimeter well; will spot up either on the wing or in the corner.

Offensive concerns

Almost exclusively drives and finishes with his left hand. Will need to improve his right hand in college.

When he gets cutoff, spins to his left most often. Effective in HS, but too predictable and he will need more variety in college.

Due to lack of strength, more of a finesse finisher than a physical one.

Free throw shooting gives me Kam Jones vibes. Might make one and the next won't be all that close. In one game, missed 5 FT out 12-13 attempts.

Defensive strengths

At times, Ian shows good defensive positioning with proper stance and a hand in the passing lanes.

Shows signs making proper rotations. I think he can be a good help defender in time.

Defensive concerns

Defensive effort is inconsistent. Many possessions he plays too upright and he's susceptible to getting beat.

While Ian often rotates to the right spot, he rarely challenges at the rim. His number own goal seems to be avoiding foul trouble at all costs. Even then, he committed 4 fouls in two of the games I watched.

Needs to become stronger and more physical on defense. He's willing to mix it up but needs further development to be college ready.

Scheme fit

Ian's HS runs a more traditional motion offense, with some hi-low action present at times. He will need to adjust from playing in a pattern offense to more of a read based system that Marquette runs. But Ian has the versatility to eventually grow into a great fit.

His versatility reminds me of Milan Momcilovic, although not quite as college ready. TOS moderator likes to compare Ian to Toni Kukoc...to which I say... perhaps Ian is the Dollar Store version.

Defensively is where Ian needs to show the most improvement.  This isn't your typical Shaka type defender.

Fun facts

1) Played at the same HS as current NBA players Max and Cam Christie.

2) One of my college roommates works (or worked) with Ian's dad.

Expectations

Ian needs to gain a lot of strength and show serious improvement on the defensive side of the ball. I think he can be a valuable bench player by his sophomore year, but his freshman year might resemble something between David Joplin's and Damarius Owens' freshmen years. Probably 5-8 mpg.

But long-term, Ian is a nice prospect with starting upside.

[The Sultan]

Any chance he'd be a redshirt candidate or is his offensive updside too potentially valuable?

[MuggsyB]

Bam and Bam!! 

[tower912]

Left handed Mike Bargen?

[WearGold]

Is Sam Hauser a somewhat, sorta, kinda comp? Similar in height, weight and outside shot, it seems.

[MuggsyB]

We need a guy who can lace triples and handle the rock at his size.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Any chance he'd be a redshirt candidate or is his offensive updside too potentially valuable?

It's possible, but I think unlikely that Ian redshirts.  In my opinion, Michael Phillips is more likely to redshirt and I don't think two healthy redshirts benefits the team as far as depth goes.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Left handed Mike Bargen?

Is Sam Hauser a somewhat, sorta, kinda comp? Similar in height, weight and outside shot, it seems.

I don't think either of these comps quite fit.

I can barely recall Bargen, but I thought he was more physical. I think Ian is more skilled.

I see Sam and Ian really differently.

As a HS senior, Sam was a better shooter, much stronger, and a better defender. A natural stretch 4 in college.

Ian is quicker, longer, a better athlete, and a better ball handler.  Ian is more of a true SF.

[Biggie Clausen]

It's possible, but I think unlikely that Ian redshirts.  In my opinion, Michael Phillips is more likely to redshirt and I don't think two healthy redshirts benefits the team as far as depth goes.

Not to poke the bear here, but in this new era of college basketball, is it really wise to be recruiting multiple high school players who might be redshirt candidates?  From the player's perspective, why would they want to go somewhere and sit out a year when they could get playing time and develop at a smaller school as a freshman, then transfer to a high major without having to sit out?  From the school's perspective, why use scholarships on guys who won't contribute when there are a thousand options in the transfer portal?

As far as Miletic, it's always exciting to bring in a guy who seems like a shooter.  Looking forward to watching him play.

[MU90620]

Not to poke the bear here, but in this new era of college basketball, is it really wise to be recruiting multiple high school players who might be redshirt candidates?  From the player's perspective, why would they want to go somewhere and sit out a year when they could get playing time and develop at a smaller school as a freshman, then transfer to a high major without having to sit out?  From the school's perspective, why use scholarships on guys who won't contribute when there are a thousand options in the transfer portal?

As far as Miletic, it's always exciting to bring in a guy who seems like a shooter.  Looking forward to watching him play.

I actually think it's more beneficial to go the red shirt route. First, you will probably make more money as a redshirt at a high major than a contributor at a low major. Second, by redshirting you are creating a 5th year (for now, possible 6th in the future)of income potential at a point in your career where you will be far more valuable than you are as a freshman.

[MU90620]

I actually think it's more beneficial to go the red shirt route. First, you will probably make more money as a redshirt at a high major than a contributor at a low major. Second, by redshirting you are creating a 5th year (for now, possible 6th in the future)of income potential at a point in your career where you will be far more valuable than you are as a freshman.

As for the school using scholarships on players not playing. You're not playin 15 guys anyway. So a developing redshirt is more beneficial than an empty spot in my opinion

[SaveOD238]

Not to poke the bear here, but in this new era of college basketball, is it really wise to be recruiting multiple high school players who might be redshirt candidates?  From the player's perspective, why would they want to go somewhere and sit out a year when they could get playing time and develop at a smaller school as a freshman, then transfer to a high major without having to sit out?  From the school's perspective, why use scholarships on guys who won't contribute when there are a thousand options in the transfer portal?

As far as Miletic, it's always exciting to bring in a guy who seems like a shooter.  Looking forward to watching him play.

I actually think it makes A LOT of sense to redshirt at a school like Marquette if your ceiling is "pretty good college player" and not "long NBA career."  Why?  It's mostly about money.  At Marquette, every player on the roster gets compensated, including redshirts, and freshman redshirt pay at MU is probably better than freshman rotation player pay at a Horizon league school.  Then, after freshman year, you still have four seasons to compete and get paid when you are older, wiser, and stronger.  If you go play one year at a mid-to-low-major and then transfer, you only get a maximum of three years to play (and get paid) at the top level.

Here's an example: Kam McGee at Wisconsin.  Played one year at UWGB and then transferred to Madison.  Now his eligibility is done, but he'd probably be a Stevie-esque starter or 6th man next year if he was coming back. If he had just gone to Madison right out of HS and red-shirted, he'd have that extra year to compete and make $$$.  Instead, he's going to try to make it in Europe or just be done with basketball, where the money is less.  (He'll be fine either way....I taught him in HS and he's a great kid with a smart head on his shoulders)

If you think NBA is a possibility, your goal is to get there as fast as you can, so red-shirting anywhere is dumb.  You can get drafted out of Weber St just as easily as Marquette.

[JoanofArcMascot]

Love this thorough report. ... I wouldn't say Bargen a good comp. Bargen more athletic and not quite as good a shooter. The best comp I can think of is Charles Brakes. Miletic a better passer than Brakes, who might have been a little bit higher leaper. ... Great point about redshirting at Marquette better than playing right away at smaller school because in long run it means more NIL money for the athlete.

[Shooter McGavin]

Ha!  Haven't heard a Charles Brakes reference in a while.

[muwarrior69]

I actually think it makes A LOT of sense to redshirt at a school like Marquette if your ceiling is "pretty good college player" and not "long NBA career."  Why?  It's mostly about money.  At Marquette, every player on the roster gets compensated, including redshirts, and freshman redshirt pay at MU is probably better than freshman rotation player pay at a Horizon league school.  Then, after freshman year, you still have four seasons to compete and get paid when you are older, wiser, and stronger.  If you go play one year at a mid-to-low-major and then transfer, you only get a maximum of three years to play (and get paid) at the top level.

Here's an example: Kam McGee at Wisconsin.  Played one year at UWGB and then transferred to Madison.  Now his eligibility is done, but he'd probably be a Stevie-esque starter or 6th man next year if he was coming back. If he had just gone to Madison right out of HS and red-shirted, he'd have that extra year to compete and make $$$.  Instead, he's going to try to make it in Europe or just be done with basketball, where the money is less.  (He'll be fine either way....I taught him in HS and he's a great kid with a smart head on his shoulders)

If you think NBA is a possibility, your goal is to get there as fast as you can, so red-shirting anywhere is dumb.  You can get drafted out of Weber St just as easily as Marquette.

Marquette and Shaka have made it very clear that they are not going to engage in a bidding war over a player transfer from the portal. However, will they get into a bidding war to retain a player?

[Pakuni]

I actually think it makes A LOT of sense to redshirt at a school like Marquette if your ceiling is "pretty good college player" and not "long NBA career."  Why?  It's mostly about money.  At Marquette, every player on the roster gets compensated, including redshirts, and freshman redshirt pay at MU is probably better than freshman rotation player pay at a Horizon league school.  Then, after freshman year, you still have four seasons to compete and get paid when you are older, wiser, and stronger.  If you go play one year at a mid-to-low-major and then transfer, you only get a maximum of three years to play (and get paid) at the top level.

Here's an example: Kam McGee at Wisconsin.  Played one year at UWGB and then transferred to Madison.  Now his eligibility is done, but he'd probably be a Stevie-esque starter or 6th man next year if he was coming back. If he had just gone to Madison right out of HS and red-shirted, he'd have that extra year to compete and make $$$.  Instead, he's going to try to make it in Europe or just be done with basketball, where the money is less.  (He'll be fine either way....I taught him in HS and he's a great kid with a smart head on his shoulders)

If you think NBA is a possibility, your goal is to get there as fast as you can, so red-shirting anywhere is dumb.  You can get drafted out of Weber St just as easily as Marquette.

The counter-argument would be, why redshirt at Marquette when you could go play at a school outside the P5, put up solid numbers for a year or two and then  be subject to a bidding war among big schools in the portal?
Seems like betting on yourself with a much bigger pay day if you're right.

[SaveOD238]

The counter-argument would be, why redshirt at Marquette when you could go play at a school outside the P5, put up solid numbers for a year or two and then  be subject to a bidding war among big schools in the portal?
Seems like betting on yourself with a much bigger pay day if you're right.

You'd still lose out on the big money Year 5. 

If you think you'll be in the Association by then...by all means bet on yourself.

[Pakuni]

You'd still lose out on the big money Year 5. 

If you think you'll be in the Association by then...by all means bet on yourself.

If MU's as NIL broke as the NIL thread seems to suggest, I doubt it.

[MU82]

Marquette and Shaka have made it very clear that they are not going to engage in a bidding war over a player transfer from the portal. However, will they get into a bidding war to retain a player?

I don't know about "bidding war," but Shaka hasn't lost a single player he wanted to retain. One would think that Kolek, Oso, Ross and especially Kam would have had some very good money-making options elsewhere, but they chose to stay at Marquette.

Of course, maybe like Koufax and Drysdale, they did it out of the goodness of their hearts. Probably even signed autographs!

[The Sultan]

If MU's as NIL broke as the NIL thread seems to suggest, I doubt it.

Why do we think MU's NIL is broke?

[Pakuni]

Why do we think MU's NIL is broke?

If Texas Tech can pay one player more than the entire Marquette budget as reported - and no idea if that's true, which is why I wrote "If" and "seems to suggest" - then MU is broke relative to the programs we'd hope to be our peers.

[tower912]

If the number for that player is accurate, and the number I have been told was raised by BTD for 24-25 was accurate, then yes, that one player received far more for one season than the BTD fund spent last season.   However, a lot can change.  How much will BTD raise going forward and how much will MU spend after the details of the settlement are locked in?

[The Sultan]

If Texas Tech can pay one player more than the entire Marquette budget as reported - and no idea if that's true, which is why I wrote "If" and "seems to suggest" - then MU is broke relative to the programs we'd hope to be our peers.

You and I have different definitions of "broke" I guess.

[Pakuni]

You and I have different definitions of "broke" I guess.

Broke relative to the programs with which we would expect to compete. Didn't think that needed explaining. Or that anyone would believe I meant Marquette has literally zero NIL funding.

[The Sultan]

Broke relative to the programs with which we would expect to compete. Didn't think that needed explaining. Or that anyone would believe I meant Marquette has literally zero NIL funding.

Yeah even under that metric we aren't broke. But keep trying I guess.