Mercy Miller snubbed from ESPN's Top 100; Paul Biancardi explains why

ESPN's Paul Biancardi sheds light as to why Miller was left off his Top 100, despite averaging 30 points a game this season

Notre Dame's Mercy Miller took a hard dribble right before Sierra Canyon's Noah Williams cut off his drive. But it didn't matter. Miller was able to use a step-back dribble to create separation that sent Williams falling backwards to the floor.

Miller then set his feet and fired a 3-pointer from the wing. GOOD.

The make gave the Knights a double-digit advantage in the fourth quarter and prompted two things: a Sierra Canyon timeout and a transition for the ESPNU broadcast to highlight Miller, who went on to score 28 points in an 81-75 loss to Sierra Canyon on Jan. 26.

Paul Biancardi, ESPN's national recruiting director, was the analyst for the game. He began to rave about Miller.

"He impacts winning with his scoring prowess," Biancardi said. "He understands the moment, he has an alpha dog mentality. He wants to take over. He wants to leave. He wants to try and be the man for his team."

ESPN's Paul Biancardi (left) and play-by-play man Noah Reed during ESPNU's broadcast of Notre Dame vs. Sierra Canyon on Jan. 26, 2024 :: Jose Montanez/Sierra Canyon

The broadcast then cut to a graphic of top seniors in California. The image included McDonald's All-Americans Trent Perry of Harvard-Westlake and Carter Bryant of Corona Centennial, and Isaiah Elohim of Sierra Canyon.

Play-by-play man, Noah Reed, then said what many in Southern California were (and are still) thinking ...

"You know who might need to be included on that list soon? Mercy Miller," Reed said to Biancardi.

Biancardi replied in jest: "I heard that this week, a little bit."

Miller, a 4-star prospect committed to Houston, is averaging 30 points, 10 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game this season. He scored 68 points in a game earlier this year and is among the candidates for Mr. California - an award for the state's best high school basketball player.

Yet, Biancardi kept Miller off his ESPN Top 100 list, which was released Jan. 22 (just four days before Notre Dame and Sierra Canyon clashed on ESPNU).

Biancardi's presence in Los Angeles was too timely not to ask about Miller's omission.

"He's 101," Biancardi said of Miller.

Biancardi's "101" answer wasn't literal. His tone was alluding to how close of a call it was to keep Miller out of the Top 100.

Notre Dame/Sherman Oaks senior guard Mercy Miller :: Tarek Fattal/SBLive

"He’s a terrific player. My job is difficult," Biancardi explained. "When we talk about adding players in the Top 100, now we have to talk about players being taken out. It’s a fine line.”

Notre Dame coach Matt Sargeant has coached three ESPN Top 35 players in his seven years at the helm, including Ziaire Williams, Dusty Stromer and Caleb Foster. Not to mention, the bevy of talent Sargeant coaches against in the Mission League week in and week out.

He knows what top-level players look like.

"If there are 50 players in the country better than Mercy Miller, I'd like to see them," Sargeant said.

Miller's name came up when he wasn't selected to the 2024 McDonald's All-American game, which was digested by the local basketball community with more understanding. But when Miller's name was not included in the ESPN Top 100, the term 'snubbed' came up frequently.

Longtime and well-respected basketball evaluator Frank Burlison, and Sargeant, agreed Miller's omission was a headscratcher, siting Biancardi's presence at the Border League in Las Vegas in October when Miller scored 65 points in two games.

Biancardi was watching Miller that day, yet somehow the Houston-bound guard was left off the Top 100 and began a whirlwind on social media.

"There are 10 other prospects like Mercy that could be in the Top 100. He's eligible to be included when we update our final rankings in April," Biancardi said.

Notre Dame not selected to Open Division playoffs; CIF makes statement, Open field breakdown