Athlete of the Week: 10 questions with Miles Boland, Loyola Academy basketball

Miles Boland is a senior guard for the Ramblers. He is a three-year starter and Loyola’s leading scorer the past two seasons.

1.) Do you have any pregame rituals or superstations?

To be honest, not really. I don’t really have a routine. I obviously get ready and listen to music and stuff like that. I don’t have to do this and this and this to get ready. I just need to get ready to play. 

2. What do you hope to do next year?

Obviously I want to play in college. I want to play at the highest level I can while still competing for minutes. But I know I’m not just going to be handed minutes.

3. Who is your favorite athlete?

It’s kind of funny. One of my coaches really likes him, because of his mindset and his sayings, so Jalen Hurts (NFL—Philadelphia Eagles) is one I really like. Steph Curry (NBA—Golden State Warriors), I really like, but Hurts has some great lines I really like. I find them funny but also like the meaning behind them. One of them, “I had purpose before everyone had an opinion.’ Stuff like that. True, funny and real. 

4. What is your favorite thing to do off the court?

Like hanging out with friends. When it’s nice out, going golfing with my dad, cousins, friends too. And playing basketball honestly. That’s all I really do. 

5. What do you need to work on to be successful at the next level?

One would be my athletic ability. Everybody is going to be a pretty elite athlete. My shooting needs to improve. That’s where I’m going to stand out at the next level. And then more game IQ and stuff like that.

6. What is your top sports moment so far? 

My favorite game without a doubt when we played St. Ignatius at home last year. It was completely packed, a sold-out game, we won and it was sick. It’s the best game I think I’ll ever play in and we won.

7. If you could play another sport, what would it be?

I think I could be a soccer player maybe. I used to play back in the grade school days. If I put time and effort into it, I think I could be a decent soccer player. And Loyola football is very good, so I’d want to give that a shot if I could. 

8. If you’re in Walgreens with a couple bucks, what are you buying?

Obviously I need a drink, right? So, strawberry chocolate milk. Maybe a bag of chips or candy. 

9. If you could have dinner with anyone who would it be?

I feel like I could have a good dinner with someone like LeBron (James). Someone super famous but basketball. Steph (Curry). Jalen Hurts. I could have a good conversation with Jalen Hurts. He has a really cool way of thinking. 

10. What is Loyola capable of this season?

I think this team is capable of a lot — a sectional win, a supersectional win maybe. We have a coach (Paul Pryma) who says we got a chance for a run to Champaign. We kind of laugh at it but I’m confident in this team’s ability more than other teams I’ve been a part of. We have a great group of guys. It’s always really fun to be with this team. We’re also really talented and tougher than a lot of teams that we’re going to play. 

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