Darius Miles

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Darius Miles (born October 9, 1981) is a former American professional basketball player who was known for his athleticism and potential coming out of high school. He was selected by the Los Angeles Clippers as the third overall pick in the 2000 NBA Draft, making him one of the most highly anticipated prospects of his time.

Early Life

Darius Miles was born in Belleville, Illinois, and attended East St. Louis High School in East St. Louis, Illinois. During his high school career, Miles distinguished himself as one of the top basketball talents in the country, earning Parade Magazine All-American honors. His exceptional performance in high school led to him foregoing college basketball to enter the NBA Draft.

NBA Career

Miles entered the 2000 NBA Draft and was selected with the third overall pick by the Los Angeles Clippers, a team that was in the midst of rebuilding. Miles was known for his versatility, able to play both small forward and power forward positions. His rookie season was filled with highlights, including being named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.

After two seasons with the Clippers, Miles was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers where he played for a season and a half before being traded to the Portland Trail Blazers. His time in Portland was marked by both on-court potential and off-court controversies. Despite showing flashes of brilliance, injuries and inconsistency hampered his career.

Miles' career was further derailed by a severe knee injury, which led to him missing two full NBA seasons. He attempted a comeback with the Memphis Grizzlies and later the Boston Celtics, but was unable to regain his former level of play. Miles officially announced his retirement from professional basketball in 2009.

Post-NBA Career

After retiring from basketball, Miles faced several personal and financial challenges. However, he has also been involved in various ventures, including acting. Miles appeared in the film The Perfect Score and has been featured in other media projects.

Legacy

Darius Miles is often remembered as a player whose career was a tale of unfulfilled potential. Coming into the NBA with immense talent and athleticism, injuries and personal issues prevented him from reaching the heights many predicted for him. Despite this, Miles left an indelible mark on the teams he played for and the fans who watched him, particularly for his high-flying dunks and energetic style of play.

See Also

• 2000 NBA Draft
• Los Angeles Clippers
• Cleveland Cavaliers
• Portland Trail Blazers