West Virginia Adds 2026 Guard Peyton Miller to Recruiting Board
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia men’s basketball head coach Ross Hodge continues to shape the future of the Mountaineers program, and his most recent move signals a sharp eye toward 2026. On Tuesday, the program officially added Class of 2026 guard Peyton Miller to its recruiting board, a decisive early move that reflects both interest and belief in the rising star’s potential to impact Power Five basketball.
Miller, a 6-foot-3 combo guard out of Cincinnati, Ohio, has been rapidly climbing the national radar with a mix of athleticism, poise, and scoring versatility. His performances on the AAU circuit with Midwest Basketball Club have earned him attention from high-majors across the Midwest and Southeast. Now, West Virginia joins that chase, signaling that Hodge and his staff are thinking ahead—well beyond the immediate needs of the 2025-26 roster.
Though still in the early stages of his high school career, Miller’s game has drawn comparisons to guards like Jalen Brunson and Davion Mitchell. Known for his court awareness and gritty defense, he combines strong lateral quickness with an evolving three-level scoring game. His basketball IQ, according to scouting reports, is already above average for his class. Several opposing coaches have taken note of his leadership qualities and ability to control tempo even against older, more physical players.
Sources close to the program say Hodge first saw Miller during a live evaluation period in April. What started as a casual observation quickly turned into consistent tracking, with West Virginia assistant coaches making multiple appearances at Miller’s spring showcases. The program’s interest intensified after a 28-point performance during a high-stakes matchup in the Under Armour Rise circuit, where Miller hit six three-pointers and notched six assists with zero turnovers.
While Miller has yet to receive a formal scholarship offer from West Virginia, being placed on the recruiting board is a key first step in the program’s evaluation and relationship-building process. According to recruiting insiders, West Virginia’s staff values early identification, and they often begin cultivating relationships two years in advance to build trust and familiarity. With the current state of college basketball’s transfer-heavy landscape, identifying and landing prep talent with long-term development potential is seen as a strategic priority.
Coach Hodge, now entering his second year at the helm in Morgantown, has made it clear that he intends to blend seasoned transfers with high-upside high school prospects to establish continuity in the program. “We want guys who want to be Mountaineers, who want to grow here and win here,” Hodge said earlier this spring. “It starts by building those relationships early.”
Peyton Miller may still be two seasons away from a college commitment, but West Virginia’s early move could be the start of something significant. With other programs circling, including Xavier, Ohio State, and Michigan State, the Mountaineers’ early engagement puts them firmly in the conversation.
For now, Miller continues to develop at a high level, with an eye toward a breakout junior campaign. And in Morgantown, Ross Hodge watches closely, planting seeds for a future he hopes will be built on smart recruiting, strong character, and serious talent.
