By Five Boro Sports
AJ Millien grew up watching the Harlem Globetrotters on television.
Too small to dunk then, he mimicked their crazy dribbling with multiple basketballs, going between his legs, around his back and juggling them. He eventually sprouted to 6-foot-8, to the point where he could slam like many of the famed entertainers.
Millien, the former John Bowne star out of Lefrak City, may be one of them now, too.
Millien, Globetrotters General Manager James Ryan said, will be one of 11 invitees for a one-day camp Aug. 11.
“He is our prime prospect,” Ryan said. “He has the look of a Globetrotter — he’s long and lean and is very athletic.”
It’s music to Millien’s ears. If selected, Millien would earn more than $50,000, Ryan said, and travel the world as an entertainer. He feels he could fit in instantly, his only shortcoming learning the tricks and plays.
“I’ve always wanted to be a Globetrotter,” the 26-year-old high-riser said. “Other than the NBA, it’s the next best thing, in terms of fans and exposure.”
That’s not to say he has forgotten about the NBA. Millien said he is in the best shape of his life, working out daily for several hours.
“I would never give that up,” he said of the NBA.
Millien is playing an integral role for Primetime in Nike Pro City at Hunter College. In a 109-103 loss to United Brooklyn, Millien, also known as “Miles High” and “Video Game” for his athleticism and leaping ability, scored 22 points on a series of eye-opening slam dunks, relentless drives to the basket and baby jump shots.
“When we need a basket, we know we can go to him,” said Primetime Coach Derrick Lawson, who has coached against Millien for several seasons in the summer, but has enjoyed his production for the first time. “He’s very explosive.”
After shining at Bowne, Millien experienced a veritable odyssey — from Labette Community College in Parsons, Kan., to Trinidad State Junior College in Alamosa, Colo., and then Idaho State University in Pocatello, Ida., where he starred for the Division I Bengals in the Big Sky conference.
Millien became the first professional basketball player out of Bowne, initially signing with Konya Sports Management Group in Turkey and later spent time in France and Spain. In the past year, he stayed in the states, playing for the Halifax Rainmen of the ABA and Augusta Groove of the Premier Basketball League.
Millien said he has offers to play overseas again, from Mexico, Sweden, Finland and Germany. The Globetrotters are first on his list, however. Beyond the cache of joining the organization, he would also receive health benefits, life insurance and stock options, not to mention job security. Ryan said a majority of the Globetrotters roster have been with them for close to 10 years.
The one downside is being away from home. The tour begins in September and doesn’t end until June. Then it starts up again a few weeks later.
“It works best for the single guy,” Ryan said.
Millien is ready. He has circled Aug. 11 on his calendar. He plans to wow the Globetrotters and join them in September.
“I would love the opportunity,” Millien said.
