There are over 1.5 million people in the United States with the first name Paul, and over 1.3 million people who have the last name Miller.

To be more specific, there are approximately 6,400 people who have a first name Paul and last name Miller, but there’s only one who wears the number 2 jersey and steadily maintains a 43 percent three-point field goal percentage at North Dakota State.

“His shooting is unbelievable with ball-in-hand,” teammate Kory Brown said about Miller, even comparing him to an old teammate.

“Being able to create a shot beyond the arc reminds me a little bit of (Lawrence Alexander), and I think he taught Paul a little bit of that.”

But it hasn’t always been that way. Miller’s story is one of hard work and determination, and in many ways is still being written.

“Paul didn’t come to us very highly recruited out of high school,” men’s basketball head coach Dave Richman said about Miller earlier this fall about when the program first contacted him.

“Miller proves that recruiting is not an exact science,” he continued, “We are very excited to have him here for the next three years.”

Miller is a sophomore accounting major from Waukesha, Wisconsin.

“I came to NDSU because I loved the coaching staff. On my visit I just really clicked with all the players here,” Miller said.

His freshman year, Miller averaged 6.7 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. So far this season he averages 16.8 points per game paired with 5.2 rebounds per game.

His season high came in one of the earlier games of the season against North Carolina A&T, where he scored 27 points and went 8-for-9 from the free throw line.

Miller averages 1.8 assists per game and 0.9 steals per game.

“I need to continue to play aggressive.” Miller, a sophomore, said.

Although not a serious goal setter, Miller said he does have a couple ideas in mind.

“I try to just do whatever I can to help our team get back to the NCAA tournament,” he said.

This leader on the floor is certainly getting his opportunities, and averages 35.0 minutes per game, with a season high of 39 minutes at Indiana Purdue Fort Wayne.

“If he keeps growing mentally just like the way he already is, and picking up his teammates like he is, I can see him definitely being a leader in the future,” teammate and senior starter Kory Brown said of Miller.

Miller seems cool and calm most of the time on the court. But digging a little deeper, he has some pretty extreme superstitions in his pre-game routine.

“I’m very superstitious,” he laughed. “I have to wear the same stuff, and do the same warm-up routine.

“I shoot a right handed lay-up, a left handed lay-up, a floater and then a three and switch lines. I have to do it before every game.”

Miller and the rest of the Bison travel to Indiana University-Purdue University of Indianapolis Sunday and return home for the second half of their conference schedule Thursday, Feb. 4 against Oral Roberts.