Mercy Miller, the son of rap legend Master P and a high school basketball star, had his sights set on joining the Duke Blue Devils. However, after meeting with University of Houston coach Kelvin Sampson, Mercy committed to play for Houston instead. Sampson, one of the best coaches in college basketball, recognized Mercy’s talent from a young age and saw something special in him. According to Master P, Sampson had only seen that level of talent in three other players: LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, and Derrick Rose.
Choosing Houston Over Duke
Mercy Miller was a star at Notre Dame High School, helping them win a state title last season. He had initially considered joining Duke, but after visiting Houston and meeting with Coach Kelvin Sampson, he fell in love with the university and program. Sampson, who had recognized Mercy’s talent from a young age, told the Miller family that he saw something special in their son and believed he could excel at Houston.
“I was shocked because he always wanted to go to Duke but when the coach left Duke and then he was like ‘Dad I’m ready, I made up my mind’ and coach Kelvin Sampson, he’s a straight guy,” Mercy’s dad said. Mercy ultimately committed to Houston and will join the university in 2024, after his senior season at Notre Dame High School.
The Advantages of Having a Famous Dad
Mercy’s father, Master P, is a well-known rapper and businessman. While some may assume that Mercy’s success in basketball is due to his father’s fame, Mercy insists that he has put in the work and earned his spot on Houston’s team. He feels that having a famous dad has not given him any unfair advantages or disadvantages, but rather has blessed him with opportunities that he has worked hard to earn.
“Everything is not given. Nothing is given in this world so I take it for what it is,” Mercy said. He acknowledges that players from famous families sometimes face unfair criticism, as seen with Bronny James, whose game is constantly picked apart online by people accusing him of nepotism. However, Mercy remains focused on his own hard work and determination to succeed on the basketball court.
Mercy Miller’s commitment to the University of Houston after meeting with Coach Kelvin Sampson shows the impact that a great coach can have on a player’s decision. Despite initially considering Duke, Mercy ultimately chose Houston because he believed in the program and felt a connection with Sampson. While Mercy’s father’s fame may have opened doors for him, he remains focused on proving himself through hard work and dedication to the sport he loves.
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