Britnee Millner: Adjusting to College Life

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Dec. 20, 2005

by Cathy Bongiovi-Stewart

For freshman Britnee Millner, going to college and playing basketball were never questionable. The 5-10 guard from Martinsville, Va., always knew she’d follow in the footsteps of her mother Kim and her aunts.

“It was a given that I would play (basketball),” Millner said. “Two (of my aunts) played at Division II colleges. My mom got an academic scholarship to Maryland.”

Rated as one of the Top 25 guards in the country by All-Star Girls’ Report, the Street & Smith’s Honorable Mention All-American has seen action in three games for Virginia in the early going. She scored her first point against Alabama in the Paradise Jam first round game. A first-team All-Conference honoree, Millner led the Carlisle Chiefs to the 2004 VISGBA Division III State Championship.

“I used to play in the rec leagues with the boys,” Millner shared about her start in basketball. “Then I started playing AAU in fourth or fifth grade. I played year-round after that.”

Named VISGBA Division III Player of the Year and the 2004 Blue Ridge Player of the Year, she averaged 14.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 5.0 steals and 3.4 blocked shots per game as a sophomore. Millner was also an U-18 AAU All-American.

In addition to basketball, Millner also played field hockey, soccer (goalie), and volleyball at the Carlisle School. A first-team all-conference and all-tournament honoree in soccer as a senior, she was a National Honor Society member.

In addition to her athletic talents, Millner also pursued other interests. She was a member of the state choir, the school’s jazz band, and S.A.D.D. As a senior, Millner was selected as homecoming queen and prom queen.

Hailing from a large family and growing up on the East coast, Millner decided to continue her education at the University of Virginia.

“I came to Virginia, because it was close to home and because of the traditions they have here,” she said. “It’s a well-known program, and it’s a more family-oriented program, too.”

Following her first semester, Millner is still undecided what her major will be.

“I’m looking at sociology,” Millner said. “I’d like to do sports medicine.”

However, classes at UVa have been the biggest adjustment for Millner.

“For me, it’s the size of the school and classes,” Millner said. “I went from a private school where we had 100 students in the school to having 100 people in one class. That’s been a big difference. Also, just balancing school work with (team) travel.”

But Millner is enjoying collegiate life.

“I really like the freedom that comes with (going to college),” she added. “You get a lot of support behind you for everything.”

In her initial campaign for the Cavaliers, Millner has some lofty goals for this season.

“I’d like us to go pretty far, hopefully the Final Four,” Millner shared. “I feel we have a pretty good team that could do that. For me (personally), I’d like to help out the team as much as possible.”

With a positive attitude and strong work ethic, Millner and the Cavaliers may just indeed be heading to the Big Dance.

Britnee’s Favorites
Food: Chicken casserole
Ice cream: Chocolate mixed
with strawberries
Color: Orange
WNBA Team: Sacramento Monarchs
Actor: Adam Sandler
Actress: Sandra Bullock
Book: The Sun Also Rises

Three words that best describe me are …
crazy, loyal, determined.

Nobody knows how much …
I love to write and compose music.

My advise to a young athlete is …
get a goal and go after it. Pay no attention to those who aren’t positive.

The best thing about being a Cavalier is …
the family atmosphere.

I chose Virginia, because …
they truly care about you.

I admire Debbie Ryan, because …
she’s accomplished so much and is still striving for more.