Last Wednesday at 4:47 p.m., well before the television broadcast went live and fans filled the bleachers for Saint Joseph's home game against Rhode Island, sophomore forward Isaiah Miles knocked down a jumper from the right side of the key. And although over two hours remained until tip-off, there was a fixed look of focus in the eyes of the lone Hawk on the court.
Fast-forward to game time, with just under 7:30 to play in the first half. The Hawks held a 22-19 lead over the Rams when Miles worked his way open at the top of the key. The sophomore put up a shot from beyond the arc that went just wide, and URI's E.C. Matthews grabbed the board.
Miles, however, had his head turned because he had already sprinted halfway down the court to his defensive assignment with that same fixed look of focus in his eyes. And when Matthews attempted to weave through the Hawk defense and put up a layup, Miles exploded off the ground and rejected the shot for his second block in a two-minute span.
That act of hustle exemplifies both what is expected of Miles and what he expects from himself. The sophomore has seen a significant increase in minutes from his freshman campaign, as he currently averages 11.1 minutes per game in contrast to 5.1 minutes per game in 2012-13. This opportunity to see more time on the court has had a profound effect on Miles' mentality when he steps on the floor.
“I know it's not as good, but last year when I got on the court, my first objective was just to score because I hadn't been in the game,” said Miles. “But now, this year while I'm in, I'm getting more time and I'm getting in the game more, so I'm more focused on what I need to do to help my team win. Whether that's getting blocks or rebounding, I'm fine with that. I just do whatever it takes to help my team get a victory.”
Like most incoming freshmen, Miles came off of an outstanding high school career when he entered his rookie campaign on Hawk Hill. He was a two-time All-Metro First Team selection who averaged a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds as a senior at Baltimore's Milford Mill Academy. Seeing a decrease in minutes could have frustrated the freshman, but instead, Miles took his first season in stride and faced certain challenges head-on in order to improve his game for his second season on Hawk Hill. In addition to strengthening his mental focus, Miles made a significant physical change that has allowed him to become a better version of himself.
“At the end of my freshman year, I weighed a lot, so I was slower on the court,” revealed Miles. “So, over the summer coming into my sophomore year, I lost a lot of weight. I focused on running.
“I got my wisdom teeth pulled and I couldn't eat for like a week, so that's kind of why I lost about 10 pounds,” Miles added with a laugh.
The sophomore revealed that he dropped between 10 to 15 pounds from the end of last season to the start of this one and that he feels faster on the court as a result of the weight loss. His increased stamina and speed have certainly helped Miles to many strong performances off the bench this year, but perhaps none as memorable for the young player as on December 21, when he returned home to Baltimore with his Hawks to battle the Greyhounds of Loyola Maryland.
The game was played at the Reitz Arena, located just eight miles away from Milford Mill Academy. Eight minutes into the game, Miles took the court in front of a home crowd that included 35 of his family and friends.
“My family has seen my whole St. Joe's career and hasn't seen me score that much,” said Miles. “I just wanted most importantly to do it for my mom and dad. They were bragging about me at work saying, 'Come look at Isaiah.' So I just wanted to make them proud and show off what I could do.”
He showed off what he could do with a career performance. In 12 minutes, Miles scored a career-high 17 points on a career-high 4-of-5 shooting from the floor and a perfect 8-of-8 effort from the free throw line. Leading 24-14, the Hawks saw the Greyhounds go on a 5-0 run to close the home team's deficit to five points. Miles would have none of it. The sophomore hit a three to spark a 33-5 run that would carry SJU for the remainder of the half. Miles iced his remarkable night with the final two points of the game, a pair of free throws with five seconds left. To the sophomore, the game was indescribable.
“It felt like I was in high school again, with all of my family and friends coming to watch me play, and it meant a lot,” said Miles of playing in front of a home crowd.
Miles credits his family and friends for providing him with a very strong support system upon which he could always rely. It was that support system that supported him through his developmental years. And now, he has a second family – one that played a vital role in impacting Miles' decision to pursue his college basketball dream at Saint Joseph's University. The sophomore attributes the squad's strong chemistry to the amount of time the Hawks spend with one another.
“It's due to us always being together,” said Miles as he discussed the importance of team bonding outside of practice and games. “Like the trip to Italy, we spent a week doing activities together. And over winter break, everyone is gone, so it just shows that all we have is each other. We're basically like a family because over winter break we all hang out with each other because there's no one else to hang out with, so we just get closer every day."
Team chemistry off the court can lead to team success on the court, especially in front of Miles' other home crowd. The Hawks are 7-2 at Hagan Arena this season, highlighted by a 75-55 win over a Drexel team that had only dropped two prior games, both to then nationally-ranked opponents.
Tonight's game marks the start of a three-game home stretch. SJU hosts #21 UMass this evening, 19th-ranked Saint Louis on Wednesday, and the always dangerous VCU next Saturday. All three teams rank in the Atlantic 10's top five. All three teams will present a different set of obstacles. But all three teams will have to play in Hagan Arena. And Miles and the Hawks understand home court advantage.
“It's the environment,” said Miles on what makes his home court special. “It's about the whole student section having our back. It's an amazing feeling."
The fans support the team, and the Hawks support each other. To Miles, that's just the simple way that it works.
“If you had an older brother or a younger brother, you'd get into an argument, but we're family, so at the end of the day we have each other's backs,” said Miles.
At his first home in Baltimore, Miles has a father, mother, and older sister.
At his second home in Philadelphia, Miles has 15 brothers.
And they surround him on the court tonight.
