Archive for August, 2008
Miles High or Video Game?
Thursday, August 7th, 2008“I love this game!”
Antoine “Miles High” Millien sat down with me to discuss paying dues, earning respect and what keeps players coming back to sweltering NYC courts in the summer.
By: Dani Milner
Difficult takes a day, Impossible takes a week…and earning a street ball name can take 4 years, just ask Antoine “Miles High” Millien.
The Lefrak Queens native earned his name only after competing in street ball tournaments for 4 years.
“I started when I was 17.” Says Millien. “Waking up early, going down to the park to find a game, just working at it.”
By the time he was 21 “Antoine from Queens” was known in all 5 boroughs as “Miles High” a name in homage to his impressive vertical leap and of course, his ability to dunk.
“I have a lot of street ball names now, “Dunkmaster”, “The Video Game.” Says Millien.
Now 8 years in, “Miles High” has earned street ball acclaim with the likes of Homicide. He’s a fan favorite in Harlem at the Tri-City Classic where announcers warn the opposing team that “this kid will jump out the gym.”
“[Tri City] is a difficult tournament to get into, it costs a lot of money.” Says Millien after a close 1pt win against Dominican Power.
Millien, along with players from each team, were invited to play in the Tri-City classic, an invitation that in the street ball world is as good as cash.
“People see you play and hear about you and eventually you get to the level where you’re invited to play in tournaments.” Says Millien.
So first come the names, then the invites and finally the insurance that people are talking about you. Once people in the right circles begin talking, the invitations to tournaments begin to roll in and the opportunity to play for top Euro, CBA, ABA and NBDL Scouts.
“You have to understand, nobody is getting paid in the summer leagues, and we play for the love of the game. In the fall we go and play for the teams in the CBA and the PBL, etc” says Millien.
“The summer league is like practice, we stay in shape we have fun. Its different from playing for an organized team with a coach that makes you do drills and go to practice. Its like a summer vacation.”
It’s one hell of a summer vacation for Millien who is playing in 15 tournaments this summer including the Tri-City Classic.
“I keep in shape, I keep occupied all summer” says Millien. “I know all the players and all the coaches and all the refs, its like family.”
The three-month family reunion brings together former and current NBA players, Euro Basket elite and Street ball legends all to outdoor courts and packed bleachers.
“For some of these guys this is life,” says Millien. “You get to do something you love instead of slaving over a stove, or pushing a cart or filing papers, and get paid for it.”
Though admitting the money is better over seas, Millien says he will continue to play with his family both organized and street ball for as long as he can.
“Overseas there is no NBA so the endorsements are better, the games are on TV, the fans all come to the arena, says Millien.
“So you come out here and play hard and you hope a recruiter from a really good overseas team is there or someone from the NBDL. The ultimate goal is to get to the league of course.
So they play, and they play hard. Emotions flare, arguments erupt between teammates, refs and opposing players, but in the end everyone exchanges daps and high fives for a game well played, because after all They love this game.