FAYETTEVILLE -- If Keaton Miles performs on the court like he performs off it, the Arkansas Razorbacks will have another All-American.
"No doubt about it, he is an All-American human being," Scotty Thurman said.
Thurman should know.
For Coach Mike Anderson's Razorbacks, the former Razorbacks star is director of student-athlete development. He says none prolifically volunteer community service like Miles.
"He actually led all male student-athletes in community service hours," Thurman said.
What has Miles, a fifth-year senior, done for communities since transferring to the UA two years ago from the University of West Virginia?
"An abundance of things," Thurman said.
The latest, Thurman said, was during Arkansas' mandatory off day from practice last week. Miles joined teammates Trey Thompson, Anthlon Bell, Manuale Watkins and Jimmy Whitt playing in a wheelchair basketball game promoting awareness for the physically challenged.
Among deeds Thurman cited, Miles has participated in charitable work for Arkansas Children's Hospital, feeding the homeless assembled at the Yvonne Richardson Community Center, involvement in the Sweat Hogs and Book Hogs programs promoting physical fitness and literacy and annually participating in the back pack/school supplies giveaway at the Boys and Girls Club.
"He even went back last year to a West Virginia hospital that he had a relationship with which I think is pretty unique,"
"He is always ready and willing to do something," Thurman said.
Academically, Miles already has earned his UA degree in agriculture business.
Given all the good deeds that Miles does off the court, it almost seems he has just spare time on the court. It even kind of reads that way.
Miles had to redshirt as a transfer so he played zero minutes in 2013-2014.
For last season's 27-9 Hogs the 6-7 forward totaled but 48 minutes in 16 games.
All that is fixing to change, Mike Anderson said.
The ankle injury that sorely set back Miles at last season's outset has healed. Bobby Portis, Michael Qualls, Alandise Harris and Jacorey Williams, Arkansas' experienced forwards ahead of him last season, have moved on.
Miles must come through Anderson said, not just as the consummate always positive teammate despite riding last season's bench, but as the slashing forward Anderson so welcomed upon his transfer.
So far in preseason practice he is Miles ahead.
"The guy I keep seeing is Keaton Miles," Anderson said. "I'm seeing Keaton play like a veteran. He watched Alandise and Bobby and those guys when it was their time. Now it's his time."
Miles has had that time before, starting 30 games as a West Virginia freshman for Coach Bob Huggins' 2011-2012 NCAA Tournament Mountaineers.
"I always have had confidence in my game," Miles said. "It's just a matter of opportunity. I understand that as long as we are successful, I am happy. That is the approach I have always taken. It's just that I am more at the forefront this year. I am going to push to be successful. It's nothing new to me. I know I can do it."
Sports on 10/12/2015