The Sophomore Surge: Jrue Miller’s Sudden Rise to Utah’s Scoring Summit
Rowland Hall’s, Jrue Miller, is off to an incredible start to the Utah High School boys basketball season.
SALT LAKE CITY, UT— In the often-overlooked landscape of 2A high school basketball, a quiet revolution is unfolding at Rowland Hall. Leading it is Jrue Miller, a 17-year-old sophomore guard who, just weeks ago, had never played a minute of varsity basketball. Today, he sits atop Utah’s entire scoring leaderboard.
Miller’s impact has been immediate. In his first two varsity games, he exploded for 42 and 41 points. He followed those performances with 28, 23 and 21 points, cementing himself as the state’s early-season breakout star. Regardless of classification, no one is scoring the ball like Jrue Miller—a staggering accomplishment for someone experiencing high school basketball for the first time.
The Numbers Tell the Story
Miller isn’t simply a high-volume shooter. His efficiency jumps off the stat sheet. He currently leads the state in three-pointers made after his first five games, averaging 4.4 per contest, and his shooting splits—50% from the field, 45% from three, and 80% at the line—place him within striking distance of the exclusive 50–40–90 club.
Head coach Zack Alvidrez, who has coached Miller since age 15 in the Team Utah AAU system, says the sophomore’s success is built on consistency and character.
“He’s the hardest worker on the team,” Alvidrez says. “His competitive spirit is contagious—it elevates everyone. And he’s doing all this while leading us in assists and nearly every major category.”
After five games Miller leads the state in scoring at 31 PPG and 3–pointers at 4.3 PPG.
Miller is within striking distance of the exclusive 59-40-90 club!
Built on Trust and Relentless Work
Miller traces his rapid varsity transition back to the foundation he built long before arriving at Rowland Hall. He began playing around age nine, then sharpened his skills in the competitive environment of Team Utah. That AAU experience established a deep connection with Coach Alvidrez, making the jump to high school feel natural.
It’s also a family pursuit. Jrue’s younger brother, Jevin, a freshman starter for the Winged Lions, trains with him daily.
“We knew we were smaller guys,” Jrue says. “So we hit the weight room, got our shots up after school, and pushed each other to get stronger.”
When studying the game, Miller gravitates toward NBA guard Cade Cunningham, admiring his ability to score at all three levels and impact the game beyond points.
Leadership Beyond the Arc
Despite his scoring fame, Miller’s focus remains team-oriented. He studies film not to celebrate his makes but to dissect mistakes, improve leadership, and strengthen team chemistry.
“My main thing is to get my team involved early,” he says. “When I open things up for them, it opens things up for me.”
Team goals drive this Rowland Hall group. Their path to postseason success, Miller says, hinges on tightening their defense—especially communication and help-side rotations.
Serious About School. Serious About the Future
Miller chose Rowland Hall in part for its academic rigor. He thrives in math and is leaning toward engineering—a sign of his thoughtful, plan-first personality. That mindset extends to his basketball future.
Jrue envisions beginning his college career at the Junior College level, developing physically and athletically before transferring to a Division I or Division II program. It’s a modern, realistic approach—and one that fits his long-term trajectory.
What Comes Next
December’s tournament-heavy schedule will test Rowland Hall before Region 17 play begins January 7. As the Winged Lions continue their climb, one storyline will remain front and center: How long can Utah’s newest scoring sensation maintain this historic pace? If the first five games are any indication, the answer might be: All season long.