BC's Miles well traveled but ready for new beginning

Everything happens for a reason.

This old adage carries special meaning for Boston College women's basketball co-captain Rebecca Miles, a player who has experienced more change in the past four years than arguably any student-athlete in the country.

Miles, a native of Australia, left her homeland for a new world in Hobbs, N.M., before coming to Chestnut Hill two years ago.

Miles' unique route to BC began in Gold Coast, Australia, a coastal city that she says grew boring after several years.

"I wanted more with my life," the senior said. "In a matter of six weeks, I was on a plane to New Mexico." When she landed, Miles was a full-time student-athlete at New Mexico Junior College. "It was a good place for me to start. I think my basketball improved as the years went on," she said.

The forward spent two years in New Mexico, where she politely says "there was nothing to do."

After exhausting "the one Wal-Mart, one highway, and one mall two hours away," Miles was playing in a tournament in Texas when BC assistant coach Yvonne Hawkins spotted her. Miles laughs at the memory, saying, "I actually had probably the worst game of my life, but they still recruited me. Coach Hawkins told me that they were looking for consistency. That opened my eyes and made me pay attention to the program."

Miles' recruitment came down to BC, Penn State, and the University of New Mexico. But, once again, Miles wanted to get away: "I just wanted to get out of New Mexico and Texas. I wanted to come to the East Coast. It kind of felt a little like back home."

The lure of ACC basketball was also a factor for the transfer, as she wanted to play against top programs like Maryland, UNC, and Duke.

When Miles arrived in Chestnut Hill last season, she was expected to replace star power forward Brooke Queenan for a team that had gone 21-12 and reached the Sweet 16.

Her first year did not go according to plan, however.

The NCAA ruled Miles ineligible, citing a professional team that she had played for in Australia when she was 16.

The captain does not shy away from talking about the alleged infraction.

"It wasn't fair what happened. I had signed a contract, but never took any money, and I got a year taken away from me." During that time, Miles says that she contemplated going back home to Australia. But she decided to stick it out, saying, "I was planning on staying because of the academics and BC. To graduate from here would be one of the best things that could happen."

As an ineligible athlete, Miles certainly kept her priorities in order as a student. Still, BC struggled on the court without the Australian: The team won just 13 games. Matched against standout centers such as Maryland's Crystal Langhorne and Duke's Alison Bales, the Eagles' ACC losses mounted, and they finished 3-11 in conference play.

A lack of depth forced center Kathrin Ress to play entire games, and freshman Ayla Brown to play out of position at power forward. Guards Sarah Marshall and Kindyll Dorsey had too much pressure on their shoulders.

For Miles, the situation was frustrating. "If we were losing, I felt like maybe I could be out there helping. And when we were winning, I wanted to be a part of that," she says.

Still, she stayed positive by coaching and communicating on the sidelines and in the locker room. Miles says that she even benefited from the process, as she had to "take a step back, sit back, and learn."

It takes a special case for the NCAA to admit a mistake, but it appears that the Miles ruling was just that.

BC appealed the decision, and Miles was ruled eligible for this season. Despite the NCAA's mistake, the senior holds no grudges.

"It was kind of hard to deal with, but it made me appreciate playing even more," she said.

Once she was ruled eligible, Miles was named co-captain by BC head coach Kathy Inglese. She spent the next couple of months getting ready for the season, working out, and practicing every day with her teammates.

"That's the life I love," she says now, with a sense of belonging. "That's what I'm here for."

Now that the season is at hand, Miles knows that the pressure will be on her and her teammates to perform better than last year. "We're a pretty strong group," she says. "Young - but we're getting there." She excitedly notes the team's predicted 11th place ACC finish, adding, "I love being the underdog. There's nothing to lose."

While she won't lead the team in scoring on most nights, Miles knows that she will play an important role on the team. Still, she remains focused: "I need to stay calm and relaxed. I'm so eager to play, and I need to just let the game come to me."

Look for Miles to debut as the Eagles' starting power forward. With Brown and center Carolyn Swords, BC expects to have a dynamic frontcourt.

Swords, a 6-foot-6 freshman, should crash the boards effectively for the Eagles, and may lead the team in rebounding. Her inside presence will allow Brown and Miles to step outside at times, something that Miles says should benefit the team.

"I feel like I'm playing a little bit outside now," she notes. "I've always had a soft touch with the ball, and I can shoot a little outside, which hopefully will lead to the post not doubling down on Carolyn."

Just hearing the captain speak in her warm Australian accent gives one the feeling that this Eagles' team has the potential to prove the experts that picked them to finish near the bottom of the conference wrong.

Although they lost several key performers, the youth seems to have brought an entirely new level of energy to the court.

"We're doing things now that we weren't even picking up on halfway through last season," Miles says. "It already has been (a better season). The best thing about our team is that you can pretty much start anyone and still be successful."