Florida State guard Miller uses 13-year-old friend with Treacher Collins Syndrome as motivation
Ian Miller has dealt with injuries and academic issues. He's played with his friend who has Treacher Collins Syndrome in mind, and now Miller is thriving in his senior season for the Seminoles. Photo Courtesy of Florida State Athletics
Florida State senior guard Ian Miller gets great joy out of participating in physical education classes at United Faith Christian Academy.
When Miller visits his old school, he hangs out with a 13-year-old named Casey Roffler.
Roffler suffers from Treacher Collins Syndrome, a condition that stunts the growth of the face, jaw and chin and can potentially cause life-threatening respiratory problems. He’s inspired Miller to overcome his own adversity, as Miller missed chunks of his first three seasons at Florida State due to academic and injury issues.
“He’s like my little brother,” Miller said. “He’s a soldier.”
In his freshman and sophomore years, academic ineligibility forced Miller to miss 22 total games. In his junior year, Miller was hampered by injuries, as he missed six games and only averaged 5.3 points.
This year, he’s only missed two games and is averaging 13.6 points and 3.0 assists, good for second and first on the team, respectively.
“He’s had some challenges,” FSU head coach Leonard Hamilton said. “As a result of those challenges, I think he’s matured, grown up and that’s one of the reasons why he’s playing so well now.”
Miller’s struggles aren’t quite as severe as Roffler’s, but the lesson is the same.
Roffler underwent 15 surgeries in the first 12 years of his life. Despite the time he’s spent in Levine Children’s Hospital, Roffler still performs at a high standard both in the classroom and on the athletic fields.
“He showed me how to fight each and every day,” Miller said. “If he can get up and do it, why can’t I?”
That attitude, one that Miller has adapted in part because of his relationship with Roffler, has made him a more mature player and person as he leads the Seminoles into the home stretch of their season.
“I could’ve quit, dropped out of college, a lot of things a lot of people do,” Miller said “But I decided to stick to it, fight and really become a man.”
Miller’s roommate and fellow senior Okaro White has known Miller since well before college. The two attended camps and played together throughout their high school AAU days.
White has been right there with Miller along his roller-coaster ride and has seen promising changes from someone he calls his “lifelong brother.”
“I think he’s learned over his four years,” White said. “He’s matured and learned how to overcome adversity. I think that’s the biggest thing with him.”
Miller noted that his attitude toward life changed after meeting Roffler. After seeing his points per game average drop five total points from his sophomore to junior year, Miller had no reason to be happy.
But it was the outlook of the 13-year-old that kept Miller’s head up.
“He didn’t look like the rest of the kids in his class,” Miller said. “But if you’ve seen him playing around, you couldn’t tell.
“To see someone free like that and in their own world, living carefree but so loving, it helps you develop a humble attitude.”
Hamilton recognized the efforts Miller has made to turn the struggles he has had into positive opportunities.
As a player who played at 222 pounds last year, Miller has cut that to 198 pounds for his senior season.
Miller’s improved physical condition has helped him become a more versatile player. Not only that, but he’s also demonstrated the leadership qualities expected of a senior guard.
“He’s running the team when we have him at the one,” Hamilton said. “When we put him at the two, he’s a lot more aggressive.
“He’s found a way to mix in being offensively productive and also running the team, so he’s at a good place for him.”
But Miller may not be at that “good place” without the help of someone nine years younger.
Roffler has been Miller’s inspiration, and as Florida State makes one last push at an NCAA Tournament berth, its senior leader will always keep his hero in mind.
Said Miller: “He’s the definition of a Seminole.”
