La Salle junior guard Sam Mills in the spotlight

Name: Sam Mills

School: La Salle

Class: Junior

Position: Guard

Height/weight: 6-2/200

Hometown: Sunrise, Fla.

High school: Cardinal Gibbons

Stats: 10.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, 35.5 minutes last season

Career highlights: Stopper on defense who almost always draws the opponent's top winger scorer. Terrific spot-up shooter who hit 41.7 percent from the three-point line last season. Had a career-high 19 points vs. Villanova

What they are saying: "I thought he was the type of complete guard that we were looking for, and he's proved us perfectly correct on that. I also thought he was a terrific person from a terrific family. He has certainly proven us right on that, as well." - John Giannini

What he's saying: On this season: "The big goal is to get to the NCAA Tournament. The main goal is to stop teams, to pressure them." La Salle had a chance to win every game it played last season, which gives Mills "the most confidence in our team. I think this is going to be a year for us to prove ourselves again."

Something you don't know about Mills: Scored 35 points against Pine Crest and National High School Player of the Year Brandon Knight. He is a psychology major who wants to be a physical therapist, just like his parents. "I'm a quiet guy. I don't socialize with too many people. I just try to socialize with the right people."

- Dick Jerardi