The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

FOR Shaquille Cleare and Tavario Miller, the 2015 Battle 4 Atlantis presents a rare opportunity for the Bahamian players to face off against each other on home soil and suited up for their respective programmes.

Both are ready to make the most of that opportunity tonight when the tournament tips off at the Atlantis resort’s Imperial Arena.

Cleare and the Texas Longhorns take on Miller and the Aggies at 7pm in the opening round of the eight-team bracket.

“Battle for the Bahamas right there. We are excited about that,” Cleare said. “We’re not going to change our game plan. We will be aggressive, if me and Tavario matchup, may the best man win. It’s going to be a battle, we’re here to compete, it’s a great tournament, there are a lot of good teams and we’re here to try and win it.”

Miller said the last time the pair squared off was at the high school level, but he expects a physical competitive position battle and game in the tournament debut for both teams.

“Me and Shaq played against each other once in high school. I think it should be a really good matchup,” he said. “He’s a big guy, I’m a big guy so I think it should be really good. We pretty much play the same position. I’m sure he just wants to help his team win as much as I want to help my team win.”

Both players expressed their excitement about playing at home for the first time in many years. “It feels good to be back home,” Cleare said. “I’m here to have fun but it’s also a business trip. I told my friends and family we can hit the beaches later.”

Miller added: “It’s a really good experience to come back home playing in front of friends and family, I haven’t played here in many years. With the amount of talent we have, the guys we’re going up against they have a really good team. I feel like it’ll be great exposure for each team. I just want to come out and help my team be successful.”

Cleare, a 6’9” 270-pound junior forward, spent last season as a redshirt, but worked out with the Longhorns and went through two-a-day practices routinely. He committed to the Longhorns under head coach Rick Barnes. However, Barnes was replaced by former VCU head coach Smart this offseason.

Smart said the tournament provides an unique opportunity for Cleare to showcase his contributions both on and off the court. “He’s a really good player. He’s a lot of fun to be around. I want people to learn about his sense of humour because he’s very bright and has a quick wit. He’s a great kid, works hard in the classroom so much attention will be paid on the basketball side but he’s a terrific person as well,” he said.

“This is obviously a terrific location, people in the Bahamas are so accommodating and so friendly but they also have a lot of passion and pride. We appreciate being here, it’s a great opportunity for Shaq to come here to his home country and we’re excited about the opportunity to play against high level competition.”

Isiah Taylor, Longhorns point guard and also Cleare’s former high school teammate, said the team sees the opportunity for Cleare as added motivation.

“Just coming down here sharing this experience with my teammates and coaches means a lot and trying to win a championship here for Shaq in front of his family and friends.”

Shaq’s a great teammate. Playing with him since our time in high school, he made my life a lot easier. I’m sure I probably did the same for him. So far in college it has been great, he’s been like a big brother to me, always keeping his arm around me and making sure that I’m good.

Miller, the 6’7” 225-pound junior forward, is averaging 6.5 points and 5.3 rebounds per game this season.

In his freshman year he averaged 1.8 points and 2.4 rebounds in just under 10 minutes per game and as a sophomore went up to 2.7 points and three rebounds per game last season. As the Aggies have opened 3-0, Miller has averaged 17 minutes per game seeing time at both the small and power forward positions.

Aggies head coach Billy Kennedy said his increased role has been indicative of his playing time. “He goes hard everyday. We get a great effort out of him everyday in the classroom and on the court,” Kennedy said. “I recognised he brings something to the team, not just scoring a bunch of points but he does things to help us win. In the locker room he’s one of our leaders, a true tough guy in the right sense and he’s gotten better. He gets in the gym as much as anyone on our team so I’ve recognised his value and effort.”

Miller said he expects anywhere between 15-25 family members in attendance, but said his approach will be just as any other game. “It’ll be really good once you go out there and win,” he said. “If you don’t win they’re going to talk about you, if you win they’re going talk about how good you played so I just want to go out there and help the team win.”

Originally from North Long Island, Miller graduated from the Phyllis Wheatley High School in Houston, Texas.

ESPN Recruiting ranked Miller as the 43rd power forward in the class of 2013, 18th overall in the state of Texas.

Cleare, a native of Andros, completed high school at the Village School in Houston, Texas, where he averaged 26.5 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks per game. He was listed as the No.30 overall prospect by ESPN and No.53 by Rivals.com for the Class of 2012.