Meet Codi Miller-McIntyre: The Boy (okay, and Basketball Player) Next-door Â
Let me introduce you to Codi Miller-McIntyre: the freshman point guard for the Wake Forest basketball team.
When I first contacted Miller-McIntyre about doing an interview, he gave me a list of times that fit his schedule. At first I thought this was pretty diva-esque, but after talking to him, I realized that wasn’t the case at all.
You can imagine my surprise when he told me that basketball was not always his main sport, but actually one of many. It wasn’t until his freshman year in high school that he was offered a spot at a summer program for basketball and chose to pursue it. One thing led to another, and eventually he arrived at Wake Forest, where he quickly made a name for himself. And he clearly knows what he’s doing; he recently led the team to a 71-46 victory over Florida State. So what exactly does a point guard do?
“The point guard position is kind of like the quarterback on the football team,” said Miller-McIntyre. “My job is to get everyone involved; push the tempo, slow down the tempo.”
As a young Demon Deacon, he is fully committed to his team, his coach and his time at the University. Despite the hustle and bustle of campus life and the non-stop flow of activity, he diligently attends every practice, regularly attends optional lifts, and brings a high-level of intensity on the court.
While I interviewed Miller-Mcintyre during one of his study breaks, fellow teammate and high school friend Andre Washington sat nearby to keep him company as he finished his homework.
“He’s like my best friend,” said Washington. “I can talk to him about anything. Off the court, he brings a sense of companionship and compassion—not just for me, but for all the players.”
When I asked Miller-McIntyre if he was as good at guarding off the court as he was on, he didn’t think twice before admitting that he definitely considers himself a guarded person. (But fear not, ladies, this doesn’t mean that he’s against meeting new people and making new friends!). Although there is an inevitable camaraderie between all the recruited athletes, he says that he is also close with a lot of people that aren’t athletes.
“It’s easy to become friends with the people that can relate to your schedule and the pressure you’re under,” said Miller-McIntyre. “But it’s good to get away and talk to people who are just regular students.”
Miller-McIntyre knows and greets almost every student that enters the lobby of South Residence Hall—clearly, he is putting this money where his mouth is.
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Aside from balancing relationships, being an athlete at Work Forest and constantly facing high stakes has taught Miller-McIntyre how to handle challenges.
“When a game is getting intense and I start to feel that I’m under a lot of heat, it helps to knowing that I’m there with my team,” he said. “If we win, we win together and if we lose, we lose together. Remembering that helps me stay calm. We’ve all been through the same things and will continue to go through the same things.”
Miller-McIntyre was recruited with six other freshman players. Together, they’re known as “The Sensational Seven.” He says that they really are like one big family.
Along with his teammates, Miller-McIntyre’s religion helps him stay focused. He grew up with very religious parents and continues to hold religion as a high priority in his life. Just look at his tweets (@CMM_OnTheRise) or tattoos, one of which is an inscription across his ribs of Psalm 23:4.
“I’m a big person, I’m not scared to say that I’m a Christian,” he said. “Actually, before every game while everyone is singing the Star Spangled Banner, I’m praying that whole time, thanking God for everything he’s done for me and has yet to do for me, and just praying that we all have a good game whether we win or lose.”
Miller-McIntyre represents the kind of person we all want to know: a dedicated, genuine, and hardworking friend willing to help with both the little and big things. When this laid-back guy isn’t in the gym or doing homework, he can probably be found in his room listening to music (preferably J.Cole). Its his favorite escape. And as if his athletic talent wasn’t enough, Miller-McIntyre is an all-around good-natured, good-spirited Demon Deacon – both on and off the court.
“I hate that some people talk to me in a certain way just because I play basketball,” he admits. “I’m just a normal kid who happens to be playing basketball.”
*Article by Julia Taylor