Above the Rim with Miles Kelly: 'The moments I live for'

AUBURN, Ala. – Miles Kelly never had a doubt.

As soon as Johni Broome passed to Kelly in the corner, Miles did not hesitate, swishing a second-chance corner 3-pointer with 30 seconds left to give No. 1 Auburn a 53-51 win over No. 6 Tennessee Saturday at Neville Arena.

“As soon as it left my hands, I knew it was good,” Kelly said. “Those are the moments I live for.”

Auburn’s leading 3-point shooter with 45 makes at 42.5-percent, Kelly helped lead the top-ranked Tigers to a 7-0 start in SEC play and the Associated Press No. 1 ranking for the second time in program history.

Kelly arrived at Auburn last summer after three seasons at Georgia Tech, quickly connecting with his new teammates.

“It turned out to be everything I expected it to be,” Kelly said. “I haven’t ever been in the top 25 before, let alone being No. 1 in the country. This is a huge blessing. I knew what this team was capable of, being around them throughout the summer. I’m glad it’s all coming to fruition.”

A 6-6 senior, Kelly led the Yellow Jackets in scoring last season averaging 13 points per game. At Auburn, he’s one of six Tigers averaging double figures through 19 games.

“My goal is to play in the NBA,” Kelly said. “In the NBA, you’re going to be playing with the top 450 players in the world. You have to adapt, learn and figure out your niche to make the team better.”

When Kelly entered the transfer portal, Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl and associate head coach Steven Pearl made a compelling case that Miles would fit in well on the Plains, focusing their pitch on the Tigers’ roster and challenging schedule. 

“One of the best schedules in the country and it’s hard to turn that down, especially when they want you,” Kelly said. “I’ve always had my eye on Auburn. When I got in the portal and they called, it was only right that I came here.”

Six years after another sniper from Stone Mountain, Georgia, helped shoot Auburn to the Final Four, Kelly hopes to duplicate Bryce Brown’s March marksmanship before taking his talents to the NBA.

“A versatile shooting threat,” said Kelly, making his case to potential employers. “A guy who can guard the other team’s best player, willing to do whatever for the team, rebound, play defense, knock down open shots, play off other better players. Things like that to hopefully help the team win a championship.”

Championships, says Bruce Pearl, depend on defense and rebounding. Kelly delivers both. His 62 defensive rebounds rank behind only Broome and Chaney Johnson, and his emphasis on defense keeps Miles on the court when Auburn needs stops in tight games. 

“It’s preparation, knowing your scout, knowing your matchup,” Kelly said. “We take that very seriously here. We do it at a high level, one of the best in the country, and that’s why where having so much success against other teams.”

The combination of skill, scouting, preparation and passion, creates a winning formula.

“The culture is amazing,” Kelly said. “I’ve never been a part of something like this, the fanbase, how people treat me off the court. The staff and players have treated me like family ever since I came. I think we prepare the best in the country, the scouts that the staff puts together. That’s part of why we’re having so much success.”

Miles Kelly traded the big city of Atlanta for the loveliest village on the Plains, swapping the bright lights for college basketball’s brightest spotlight.

“The people are second to none here in Auburn,” Kelly said. “The way the fans and staff treat you, it’s like a huge family. I love the atmosphere and it’s been nothing but great coming here.”

The feeling is mutual, with Kelly endearing himself to the Auburn family three points at a time. 

When the game is on the line, No. 13 has proven what he said after sinking Tennessee: he lives for those moments.

Pass to Miles, cue the smiles.

Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on X: @jeff_shearer