Hysier Miller has been released from the Virginia Tech men’s basketball program, the school announced Tuesday.
“Temple transfer point guard Hysier Miller has been permanently released from the Virginia Tech men’s basketball program due to circumstances prior to his enrollment at Virginia Tech,” the statement reads. “There will be no further comment by the university on this matter.”
As Pat Forde and Sports Illustrated have reported, Miller’s departure is related to the gambling inquiry around the Temple men’s basketball program from last season. Miller, a Philadelphia native, averaged 15.9 points per game for the Owls last season before transferring to Virginia Tech in April.
The situation revolves around a March 7 game between Temple and UAB. The Blazers opened as 1.5-point favorites but the line suddenly jumped up to eight points later in the day before falling back to seven at the time of tipoff. The Owls lost that game by 28, 100-72, and Miller scored just eight points, a rare single-digit night for the junior, who entered the contest off the heels of 11 straight double-figure outings. He was 3-of-9 from the field with one rebound and three turnovers in 30 minutes of action.
Temple faced UAB in a rematch 10 days later in the AAC Tournament final and lost, 85-69, though Miller recorded 32 points, six assists and five rebounds.
Miller’s departure leaves the Hokies with two point guards for the 2024-25 season: sophomore Brandon Rechsteiner (6-1, 190) and freshman Ben Hammond (5-11, 170). Rechsteiner, who hails from Acworth, Ga., averaged two points per game last year in 26 appearances, making two starts when Sean Pedulla was injured. Hammond is a Fairfax native who starred at Paul VI.
It’s the second time in as many seasons a potential key piece departs the program less than two weeks before the start of the season. Former guard Rodney Rice, now of Maryland, announced he was leaving 13 days before last year’s opener.
The Hokies open their season in 12 days on Monday, Nov. 4, in Cassell Coliseum vs. Delaware State at 8 p.m. ET. They were picked to finish 14th in the now 18-team ACC.
