Former ASU basketball player Curtis Millage hired at Shadow Mountain

From one former point guard to another, Phoenix Shadow Mountain is transitioning its boys basketball program with former Arizona State standout player Curtis Millage as head coach, Shadow Mountain Principal Dave Appleman told The Arizona Republicin an email on Monday morning.

"Curtis Millage has been hired as of this morning," Appleman wrote.

Millage, who played point guard at ASU from 2001-03 before spending most of the next 14 years playing professionally overseas, will take over for former 14-year NBA veteran point guard Mike Bibby.

Bibby led Shadow Mountain to five state championships in six years, including the last four.

He'll have the task of trying to keep the dynasty intact.

With the graduation of All-Arizona guards Jaelen House (now at Arizona State) and Jovan Blacksher (Grand Canyon) and with sophomore guard Devontes Cobbs playing for AZ Compass Prep's national team this summer, the Matadors aren't expected to have the same firepower, making Tucson Salpointe the 4A favorite coming into the 2019-20 season.

Shadow Mountain went 26-3 last season. Davon Cobbs, a senior guard who is Devontes' brother, is expected to remain at Shadow Mountain. Senior swingman Shemar Morrow also is expected to stay at Shadow Mountain, where he was a key player on the last two state title teams. Morrow averaged 12 points and eight rebounds last season.

Salpointe lost to Shadow Mountain in the 2017 and '18 state championship games and fell to the Matadors in last year's state semifinals, which was Shadow Mountain's most difficult game in the playoffs.

Millage brings in strong credentials as a former player.

He started all 58 games he played in for the Sun Devils in two seasons -- 2001-02, '02-03 -- averaging 14.7 points. He averaged 17.4 points in Pac-10 play in the 2002-03 season. He is remembered for his 17 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists against Memphis in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

He played his first two colleges seasons at Los Angeles Southwest College.

From 2003-17, Millage played professionally, mostly overseas, playing in China, Croatia, Ukraine and Latvia. He was a two-time Latvian League champ and won a title in the Estonian League.

He was an assistant coach at Chandler-Gilbert Community College.

To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him at twitter.com/azc_obert.

Source: Azcentral.com

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