The top scorer and rebounder from the 2025-26 Cincinnati Bearcats had an eye-opening first day at the NBA Combine.
Baba Miller, who celebrated his Senior Night just over two months ago, had a 20-point outing May 13 in Chicago that could help his stock.
In addition to his 20 points, which included a 5-for-6 effort from the 3-point line, Miller had six rebounds, two assists, and two steals as well as mading all six of his free throws. Though he led UC in scoring at 13 points per game and in rebounds with 10.3 per contest, Miller’s 3-point percentage was just over 19% at UC, and his free-throw shooting wasn’t quite 66%.
Obviously, improvements were made in the last couple of months of training for the Combine. In his lone year with the Bearcats, Miller was listed at 6-foot-11 and 225 pounds. The NBA Combine measures players without shoes and had Miller at 6-foot-10.5 inches and 208.5 pounds. His wingspan was at 7-foot-1.5 inches and he had a standing reach of 9-foot-3.
The performance drew rave reviews, with Cincinnati Bearcats general manager Corey Evans weighing in on the forward from Spain.
Baba continues to show his capacity to impact practically every part of the final box score. Glad the league is able to see what the ‘work in the dark’ has come to produce. The talent + versatility + character is going to make him a major winner in Chicago this week.
NBC’s John Fanta was also among the many impressed with Miller.
Baba Miller – At 6-11, he can do so many different things as a point forward. It’s been a long and winding road for Miller but the guy has some really unique tools.
Baba Miller was late arrival to Cincinnati Bearcats in 2025
It was roughly a year ago, May 15, 2025, that Miller announced he was transferring from Florida Atlantic to the Cincinnati Bearcats to play for then-coach Wes Miller.
Before FAU, he had played two seasons at Florida State, but his best season came with the Bearcats. He had 13 double-doubles with a high point game of 26 with 14 rebounds against Alabama State Dec. 17. His top rebounding game was against Lipscomb Dec. 29 when he pulled down 21, adding 11 points.
His best all-around Big 12 game was a home win over Baylor Jan. 28, when he scored 18 points with 17 rebounds.
Baba Miller rated as 2nd-round pick by ESPN Mock draft
Done April 28, before the NBA Combine, ESPN had Miller as the No. 44 pick overall, going to the San Antonio Spurs. Here are the Big 12 players rated above Baba Miller before his recent performance.
AJ Dybantsa, BYU – No. 1. UC beat BYU 90-68 with Dybanta scoring 23 points with six rebounds, but Miller had 15 points and 12 boards.
Darryn Peterson, Kansas – No. 2. UC won at Kansas 84-68 with Peterson scoring 17 points with four rebounds. Miller had 18 points and seven boards.
Kingston Flemings, Houston – No. 7. Houston won both games taking the first 67-60 with Flemings scoring 19 points and Miller getting 11 points and eight rebounds. They won later in January 76-54 in Houston, holding Miller to two points and eight rebounds. Flemings was held to seven points.
Brayden Burries, Arizona – No. 9. The Wildcats beat UC in Tucson, 77-51 with Miller scoring 14 points and six rebounds. Burries had 12 points and 10 boards.
Christian Anderson, Texas Tech – No. 16. UC lost 80-68 in Lubbock with Miller scoring 12 points with four rebounds. Anderson, who measured just shy of 6-foot-1 at the Combine, had 31 points and 11 rebounds.
Cameron Carr, Baylor – No. 18. The Bearcats beat Baylor 67-57, holding Carr to four points with seven rebounds. Miller had his best Big 12 outing with 18 points and 17 boards.
Chris Cernac Jr., Houston – No. 19. Houston won the first game 67-60 with Cernac scoring four points with eight rebounds to Miller’s 11 points and eight rebounds. They won the second 76-54, holding Miller to two points and eight rebounds. Cernac had 13 points and three rebounds.
Koa Peat, Arizona – No. 24. Arizona beat UC 77-51 in Tucson with Peat scoring 13 points with six rebounds. Miller had 14 points and six rebounds.
Joshua Jefferson, Iowa State – No. 30. UC knocked off No. 2 Iowa State 79-70, but Jefferson had 16 points and nine rebounds. Miller was held to eight points but had 12 rebounds.
Second round
Tounde Yessoufou, Baylor – No. 33. UC beat Baylor 67-57 at Fifth Third Arena with Yessoufou scoring 16 points with seven rebounds. Miller’s stats were better with 18 points and 17 rebounds.
Milan Momcilovic, Iowa State – No. 35. Momcilovic kept the No. 2 Cyclones in the game vs. UC (Bearcats won 79-70) with 34 points, but had just one rebound. Miller had eight points, 12 rebounds in UC’s biggest win of the season.
Flory Bidung, Kansas (maybe Louisville) – No. 41. UC beat Kansas 84-68 in Allen Fieldhouse, but Bidunga had 18 points and 12 rebounds to Miller’s 18 points and seven rebounds.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Former Cincinnati Bearcats center Baba Miller lights up NBA Combine