ST. LOUIS (USBWA) – Mitchell Miller, who will enroll this fall as a freshman at Arizona State University, has been selected the winner of the U.S. Basketball Writers Association's college scholarship given annually to the son or daughter of a USBWA member.

Miller

Mitchell is the son of longtime USBWA member Craig Miller, former Villanova sports information director and now the chief media/communications officer for USA Basketball.

The scholarship is a $1,000 grant awarded annually by the USBWA for four years.

"Out of an exemplary collection of applicants, Mitchell stood out and the USBWA is pleased to present him with its annual scholarship," said USBWA President Dana O'Neil of espn.com.

"Mitchell excelled not only in the classroom in high school but also as an athlete and active member of the Colorado Springs community. On behalf of the USBWA, it is my pleasure to wish Mitchell well and congratulate him on a deserving scholarship."

Mitchell, who plans to study aeronautical engineering at Arizona State, has been accepted to Barrett, The Honors College, at Arizona State. He graduated with honors from The Classical Academy at Air Academy High School in Colorado Springs. He was a member of the National Honor Society for three years and named a Commended Student in the 2014 National Merit Scholarship Program.

He was a starting offensive and defensive tackle in football at The Classical Academy and earned academic all-state honorable mention honors as a junior and senior.

He also was the leading scorer on the Air Academy High School lacrosse team and ranked as the No. 3 attack and No. 20 player overall in Colorado by StudentSportsLacrosse.com.

"As a lacrosse coach and educator, I look for student-athletes who can lead both on the field and inspire off the field," said Air Academy High School varsity assistant coach Chris Snyder. "Mitchell was that kind of an athlete."

Mitchell volunteered his time to serve the community through The Classical Academy SerTeen Club and was a volunteer at camps and clinics to help others learn about basketball, skiing, lacrosse and football. “He’s a wonderful young man with a good heart, a great student and an incredible athlete,” said his mathematics teacher, John Knuth, at The Classical Academy.

Last year's USBWA scholarship winner was Mitchell Forde of Louisville, Ky.

The U.S. Basketball Writers Association was formed in 1956 at the urging of then-NCAA Executive Director Walter Byers. With some 900 members worldwide, it is one of the most influential organizations in college basketball. For more information on the USBWA and its award programs, contact executive director Joe Mitch at 314-795-6821.