SEATTLE – Seattle University basketball legend Eddie Miles '63, is among five individuals earning distinction as Seattle U's 2020 Alumni Award recipients, President Stephen Sundborg, S.J., the Seattle University Alumni Association and the Alumni Board of Governors announced Tuesday. For the past 35 years, Seattle University has celebrated the Alumni Awards, honoring alumni who exemplify our Jesuit values and excel in the areas of leadership, professional achievement and community service. Miles earns the Professional Achievement Award.
Known as "The Man with the Golden Arm" for his shooting prowess, Miles was selected by the Detroit Pistons in the first-round of the 1963 National Basketball Association draft. His successful NBA career included time with the Baltimore Bullets and the New York Knicks. Miles was inducted into the Seattle University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011, alongside basketball greats Elgin Baylor and Eddie and Johnny O'Brien.
"It is interesting to note that of all the basketball players drafted into the NBA in 1963, there are only two who scored more points than Eddie Miles," says John Ruffo, '65. "And Eddie Miles had the highest lifetime shooting percentage."
Upon graduating from high school in North Little Rock, Ark., where Miles led his team to four consecutive state championship titles and was twice named All-American, he was recruited by 50 colleges. An Elgin Baylor fan since childhood, he chose Seattle U to follow in the footsteps of his idol. "When I graduated high school, I had a lot of scholarship offers, but I couldn't think of going anywhere but Seattle U because that's where Elgin went."
Miles was the Chieftains' leading scorer for three consecutive seasons, each of which his team qualified for the NCAA basketball tournament. As a senior, he contributed 697 points and ranked seventh in the nation for scoring. That's when the Detroit Pistons came calling.
Miles recalls, "the NBA draft wasn't as sophisticated in 1963 as it is today. I was in class and someone came in and told me I'd been drafted by the Pistons. I was the fourth pick in the first round."
The highlight of his nine-year NBA career was his selection to the 1966 NBA All-Star game where he led his West team in scoring. His career was cut short when a ruptured Achilles tendon ended his career in 1972.
After his basketball career, Miles used his accounting degree until he received a call in 1978 from the SU men's basketball coach. He invited Miles to be his varsity assistant, and Miles gladly accepted. In his second year, however, Seattle U decided to drop from Division I and Miles returned to the private sector.
Miles gives generously of his time, building future stars by working with students as a private basketball trainer through his organization called Drills and Skills and he tutors youth in math. In 2005-2006, Miles assisted his son, Troy, who was the head basketball coach at Tyee High School.
Asked what advice he could offer today's student-athletes, Miles replies, "Focus on your academic careers. If you can't pass in the classroom, you can't pass on the court. You have to buckle down in school. If you happen to go pro, that's a bonus."
Also being honored this year are Joseph Nguyen, '06 (Alumnus of the Year), Taylene Watson (University Service Award), Delores Davis, '51 (Community Service Award) and Aerica Shimizu Banks, '10 (Outstanding Recent Alumna).
The achievements of these outstanding individuals will be celebrated at the 35th Annual Alumni Awards Celebration on Friday, April 17, 2020, at 6 p.m. at the Four Seasons Hotel Seattle. Early Bird pricing is available until February 23. Registration is open now. To learn more about our winners, visit the Alumni Awards website.
Known as "The Man with the Golden Arm" for his shooting prowess, Miles was selected by the Detroit Pistons in the first-round of the 1963 National Basketball Association draft. His successful NBA career included time with the Baltimore Bullets and the New York Knicks. Miles was inducted into the Seattle University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011, alongside basketball greats Elgin Baylor and Eddie and Johnny O'Brien.
"It is interesting to note that of all the basketball players drafted into the NBA in 1963, there are only two who scored more points than Eddie Miles," says John Ruffo, '65. "And Eddie Miles had the highest lifetime shooting percentage."
Upon graduating from high school in North Little Rock, Ark., where Miles led his team to four consecutive state championship titles and was twice named All-American, he was recruited by 50 colleges. An Elgin Baylor fan since childhood, he chose Seattle U to follow in the footsteps of his idol. "When I graduated high school, I had a lot of scholarship offers, but I couldn't think of going anywhere but Seattle U because that's where Elgin went."
Miles was the Chieftains' leading scorer for three consecutive seasons, each of which his team qualified for the NCAA basketball tournament. As a senior, he contributed 697 points and ranked seventh in the nation for scoring. That's when the Detroit Pistons came calling.
Miles recalls, "the NBA draft wasn't as sophisticated in 1963 as it is today. I was in class and someone came in and told me I'd been drafted by the Pistons. I was the fourth pick in the first round."
The highlight of his nine-year NBA career was his selection to the 1966 NBA All-Star game where he led his West team in scoring. His career was cut short when a ruptured Achilles tendon ended his career in 1972.
After his basketball career, Miles used his accounting degree until he received a call in 1978 from the SU men's basketball coach. He invited Miles to be his varsity assistant, and Miles gladly accepted. In his second year, however, Seattle U decided to drop from Division I and Miles returned to the private sector.
Miles gives generously of his time, building future stars by working with students as a private basketball trainer through his organization called Drills and Skills and he tutors youth in math. In 2005-2006, Miles assisted his son, Troy, who was the head basketball coach at Tyee High School.
Asked what advice he could offer today's student-athletes, Miles replies, "Focus on your academic careers. If you can't pass in the classroom, you can't pass on the court. You have to buckle down in school. If you happen to go pro, that's a bonus."
Also being honored this year are Joseph Nguyen, '06 (Alumnus of the Year), Taylene Watson (University Service Award), Delores Davis, '51 (Community Service Award) and Aerica Shimizu Banks, '10 (Outstanding Recent Alumna).
The achievements of these outstanding individuals will be celebrated at the 35th Annual Alumni Awards Celebration on Friday, April 17, 2020, at 6 p.m. at the Four Seasons Hotel Seattle. Early Bird pricing is available until February 23. Registration is open now. To learn more about our winners, visit the Alumni Awards website.