Q & A with Former Jay Chad Millard

Well I've given you all what you have wanted: an interview with a dedicated Jays fan. Actually none of you wanted that because nobody actually reads this blog, but nevertheless, I gave you that interview anyways. Now I'm about to give you another interview with a more important figure of the Jays community: Chad Millard. Now most of you know Chad as the one-time Louisville transfer that never really panned out to what most thought he was going to be as a player here at CU. Despite that shortcoming, Chad has been a fan favorite anyways, winning people over with his intensity (See: Nick Evans, SIU game) and his personable and colorful personality. I'm going to give you a little bit more of the Chad Millard I know, the one-time number one rated high school prospect in all of New England, and once had a feature on him in Slam magazine when he was in high school. Yes, you read that last sentence correctly.

How are you today Chad?

Pretty good.

I understand you're going golfing soon?

This is true, I'm going with the members of "Sweetness."

Can you elaborate on what "Sweetness" is?

I can not.

Interesting. What are your thoughts now that your basketball career has officially come to an end?

My thoughts are the exact same as they were prior to my commencement from basketball.

Won't go there then. Have you enjoyed your four year stay in Omaha?

Yes I have.

That's phenomenal to hear it's a great city. I understand you have no current plans for next year?

I have many plans actually. I'm going to attempt to make the PGA Tour.

That would be quite an extraordinary feat. Are you more at peace playing golf or basketball?

When I play basketball by myself I find myself very at ease and relaxed.

Wow wasn't expecting that answer actually. What advice do you have for us current Jays players regarding next season?

Don't let everyone who is down on the program right now affect your work ethic and outlook for next year. 95% of the fans who support us don't necessarily understand what we go through basically 11 months out of the year and that, in fact, we are regular people and do have trials and tribulations in our every day lives outside of basketball. To conclude this answer, I would tell the guys just to be confident, to be focused, and work hard, and to come together as a common unit and go out and achieve your goals.

Fondest memory of your Jays career?

Just how I felt during the Southern Illinois game this year when all the fans really embraced me.

What exactly happened between you and Nick Evans?

Nick Evans threw a cheap shot towards my neck, and I had a few choice words for him after that, and then he got the ball and I stole it from him with my lightning quick hand ability and said another choice word to him, and with all his frustration and aggression, he hit me, and my initial instinct was to chase him down.

Many people don't know your background as a basketball player. You were the number one rated player in New England in high school correct?


Yeah.


How did you hone your game growing up as a kid?

Lived at the YMCA. I used to not go to school and just go to the YMCA. My mom would just drop me off at the Y before school at like 7 and I would just play all day.


It has come to my attention that the emcee at Rucker Park used to dub you, "Baby Van Horn." Why that nickname?


When I was younger, Van Horn was the good white player at the time. We had similar size and I don't know that's just what they called me.


What were some of the notable names on your AAU teams growing up?


Played with Jerome Dyson (UConn), Vernon Goodrich (Miss St), Marcus Johnson (Tennessee), Emanuel Negadu (Tennessee), Jeff Adrien (UConn), Chris Lutz (Purdue), Luke Bonner (West Virginia).


Pretty impressive. Best player you've ever played with on the same team? And best player you've ever played against?


I've played with Rashad McCants (NBA's Timberwolves), Matt Bonner (NBA's Spurs), Terrence Williams (NBA's Nets), Taquan Dean (Former Lousiville standout), Tyler Hansbrough (NBA's Pacers), Kyle Korver (NBA's Jazz).

Best player you've ever played against?

Rudy Gay, Randy Foye, Curtis Sumpter, Rashad McCants, Matt Bonner, OJ Mayo. I mean I've played with a lot of NBA dudes. Never the likes of LeBron, Kobe, etc. but a lot of NBA guys.

What was playing for Coach Pitino like?

Tremendous experience. The best basketball mind I've ever been around. I learned a ton. His preperation was unbelievable. His favorite saying was, "Failing to prepare is preparing to fail." I learned a ton about the offensive and defensive sides of basketball. I learned so many schemes and proper ways to go about things. He was so meticulous in the ways he went about things. I learned so many things about basketball that most people have no clue is so important and crucial to winning and being successful.

Favorite experience at Louisville?

Playing at Syracuse, it was the biggest regular season crowd that year, like 31,000 or so.

What was the best game you had at Louisville?

At home against Villanova. Both ranked Top Ten.

Tell me about your experience playing at Kentucky.

To date, the greatest basketball experience of my life. 25,000 who bleed blue and who hated red. You couldn't hear the person standing next to you. Rondo killed us, played unbelievable. We had to watch film of the game on the bus ride home and had practice immediately when we got back.

Do you ever look back and wish things would have been different for your basketball experience?

I mean, yeah, there's days I wish my career would have gone differently. I had injuries and that's the way it goes. I would have loved to have ended up making money playing basketball some day, but I have to deal with the cards that were dealt to me, and I'm fine with all of it.

So you're at ease with everything now?

Yeah I have no choice but to be, I can't be one of those people who is looking back wondering what if?

Thanks for the interview Chad, I appreciate it.

No problem Rossco.