Dante Milligan

Height:
6-9
Weight:
215
Class:
Redshirt Sophomore
Hometown:
New York, N.Y.
High School:
Trinity Pawling
Prev School:
Pittsburgh

FORD ON MILLIGAN: FORD ON MILLIGAN: 'Dante is somebody who I thought in the last month of the last season last year really came on. What we need from him is more consistency and to be a more aggressive and tougher basketball player. We need his senior leadership as a team captain. But I think, with Dante, this is his senior year and we are expecting big things out of him. He has worked hard and will play a lot this year. He makes our front line is as good as anybody's. Dante is a player who works extremely hard and is very active in the post. That's probably his greatest strength because he is always trying to rebound he's always trying to get deflections, he has a very good 15 foot jump shot, he is continuning to develop a better low-post game.' 2007-08 UPDATE:
? Played in all 36 games, starting 21, averaging 9.0 points and 5.4 rebounds in 18.8 minutes per game.
? 14 games in double-figures this year with fifth coming in 16th game. Four games with 10 or more in 2006-07.
? Named to NIT All-Tournament Team with 15.2 points per game and 8.4 rebounds per game. Averaged 15.5 ppg in Semis.
? Second-best single-season in field goal percentage (63.8) and ninth in single-season blocked shots (69).
? With 100 blocked shots at UMass, ranked ninth in career blocks in school history.
? Prorated over 40-minute game, averaging 19.1 points and 11.5 rebounds.
? Led team in field goal percentage (63.8). Does not have enough shots to qualify for A-10, but would rank first. Would rank tied for seventh in the nation if he had enough to qualify.
? First on team in blocks with 69. Third in A-10 in blocks per game (1.92). Third on team in rebounds (5.4).
? In final college game, had 14 points and nine rebounds in NIT Championship vs. Ohio State (4/3).
? Double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds in NIT Semifinal vs. Florida (4/1). ESPN Player of Game.
? Dunked home the go-ahead basket with 27 seconds left to lift UMass to 22-point second-half comeback at Syracuse (3/25) in NIT Quarterfinals. Finished with 13 points and career-high tying 11 rebounds for second-career double-double.
? Punctuated NIT Second Round win over Akron (3/22) with dunk at buzzer as he finished with eight points in victory.
? Career game with bests of 24 points, 11 made field goals, 14 field goal attempts, seven blocks in NIT First Round vs. Stephen F. Austin (3/18).
? In A-10 Quarterfinals vs. Charlotte (3/13) had career-high three steals, four blocks, four rebounds and five points.
? On Senior Night, tied career-best with eight field goals on nine tries vs. La Salle (3/5). Added six rebounds, five blocks.
? Eight points, five rebounds and two steals at Richmond (3/1).
? All-around game with nine points, nine rebounds and five blocks vs. St. Bonaventure (2/24).
? Then-career-high 21 points vs. Saint Louis (2/17) with 40 friends and family in attendance. Had six rebounds.
? Played his hometown team, the day before his 24th birthday, had 15 points on 7-of-12 from the floor to set new career-best in attempts vs. Fordham (2/14).
? Tied career-high with 11 rebounds at Duquesne (1/30), third double-figure rebound game of season, also scored seven.
? First-career double-double came at Saint Joseph's (1/23), as he had 12 points and 10 rebounds along with two blocks.
? Amazing day with 11-of-14 from the foul line for 15 points in win over Charlotte (1/19). Came into game shooting 45 percent from line, made 79 percent. Also had eight rebounds and career-high four assists in career-high 26 minutes.
? Retruned to starting line-up and got off to quick start with first two baskets of the game, scoring 13 points at #14/18 Dayton (1/16). Was his fifth game in double-figures this season bettering entire total for last season when he had four.
? Vs. Saint Joseph's (1/9) had eight points, 10 rebounds and four blocks. Second career game with double-figure rebounds.
? Grabbed seven rebounds and tied career-high with two assists at #15/15 Vanderbilt (1/5) before fouling out.
? Made both field goals and scored six points in win over Boston University (12/29).
? Fourth game of season in double-figures with 10 points in win over Central Connecticut (12/22).
? Over four games (Nov. 14-Dec. 1) scored 13.7 points & 6.7 rebounds, shooting 74.0 percent from the floor (24-of-32).
? Has more than nine points in six games and more than six rebounds in five games.
? Double-figures for third time in four games at IUPUI (12/1) with 10 points also had six rebounds.
? Tied career-high with 17 points for the second time in three games in huge win at Syracuse (11/28). Also grabbed seven rebounds as he tied career-highs with 8-of-9 from the floor.
? Tallied nine points, grabbed six rebounds and swatted career-high five shots vs. Wis.-Green Bay (11/17).
? Career-game with 17 points on 8-of-9 from the floor along with seven rebounds in win over Yale (11/14).
? Started and scored nine points vs. Cal Poly (11/9) along with two blocked shots.
AS A REDSHIRT JUNIOR IN 2006-07: Big man off the bench, averaged 3.3 points and 2.5 rebounds in 9.6 minutes per game in 32 games ... Over last nine games of the season, had averages of 5.4 points and 4.9 rebounds per game ... Posted second game of the year in double-figures with 10 points in NIT Second Round at West Virginia (3/15) ... Had a huge game with nine points and seven rebounds in A-10 clinching game at Saint Joseph's (3/3) ... Made all three shots for six points, along with six rebounds vs. La Salle (2/28) ... Over three games (Feb. 15-21) is averaged 7.0 points and 7.7 rebounds in 18.3 minutes of action ... Continued strong play with six points and four rebounds in 13 minutes vs. St. Bonaventure (2/21) ... Grabbed eight rebounds and had six points in 20 minutes at Dayton (2/18) ... On his 23rd birthday and playing before hometown friends and family in New York, grabbed a career-high 11 rebounds and scored nine points in win at Fordham (2/15). Also had two assists and two blocks ... Netted six points at Temple (2/11) in just seven minutes making 3-of-4 field goals ... Played 12 minutes off the bench and scored four points against Rhode Island (2/8) ... Made career-high five free throws on career-best six attempts for all five points vs. Richmond (2/3) ... Made a field goal on four attempts in just six minutes vs. Temple (1/13) ... Scored first points in three games on a driving lay-up vs. George Washington (1/10) ... Equaled season-best with six rebounds in just 12 minutes vs. Yale (12/28) including four offensive boards. Scored four points as well ... Third career game in double figures with 10 points at Jacksonville State (11/25) including 5-of-6 from the floor ... Four points against Northeastern (11/19) befoe fouling out ... Returned to Pittsburgh to play in Colonial Classic, where he played against his former team, No. 4/5 Pitt (11/18). Had one field goal and two rebounds vs. Panthers ... In opener vs. Dartmouth (11/11), had six rebounds and four points in 17 minutes. AS A REDSHIRT SOPHOMORE IN 2005-06: Played in 22 games since becoming eligible for the Siena (12/23), which was his first game since Dec. 18, while at Pittsburgh ... Had at least five rebounds in six of his first seven games this season. Overall, had nine games with five or more rebounds playing 13.8 minutes per game. Also scored 3.3 points per game and grabbed 4.0 rebounds per game, which ranked third on the team ... Averaged 11.5 rebounds and 9.5 points over 40-minute span ... Drew first career start in Atlantic 10 First Round vs. Xavier (3/8), but did not score in six minutes ... Had a career-high four blocked shots and career-high tying two steals vs. Dayton (2/25) ... In just 13 minutes grabbed seven rebounds at St. Bonaventure (2/19) ... Played one of his best games at Florida State (2/12), made all five field goals for 10 points and grabbed seven rebounds. His Second career-double-figure game ... In career-high 24 minutes vs. La Salle (2/8), grabbed seven rebounds including five offensive boards along with six points ... Provided 19 valuable minutes at Saint Louis (1/14) posting five rebounds and four points ... Had his best career game against Saint Joseph's (1/11) going 5-for-5 from the floor for 11 points. Also added four rebounds and three blocked shots ... In his return to Pittsburgh, where his college career began, scored career-high nine points along with six rebounds at Duquesne (1/7) ... In his return to New York and Madison Square Garden, played 22 minutes vs. St. Peter's (12/27) and had five points and six rebounds ... In his debut vs. Siena (12/23) posted seven points, eight rebounds and two blocks in 20 minutes ... Sat out the first six games of the season after transferring from Pittsburgh until he became eligible after the first semester ended. AS A REDSHIRT FRESHMAN IN 2004-05 (AT PITTSBURGH & UMASS): Joined the UMass men's basketball team as a transfer from the University of Pittsburgh in January 2005 ... Milligan enrolled at UMass for the spring 2005 semester ... He worked out and practiced with UMass late in the season after recovering from a hand injury ... While at Pittsburgh, played in five games ... Totalled seven points and six rebounds ... Scored season-high three points vs. Coppin State (12/18). AS A FRESHMAN IN 2003-04 (AT PITTSBURGH): Sat out the 2003-04 season as a redshirt, but practiced and traveled with the Panthers all season as they reached the NCAA Sweet 16. BEFORE COLLEGE: A 2003 graduate of Trinity-Pawling High School in Pawling, N.Y. where he lettered two seasons for Coach Bill Casson ... Selected to the All-New England team, All-Founders Conference and Tri-State All League ... Named McDonalds All America honorable mention as a senior ... Scored 16 points and averaged 8.7 rebounds per game after leading Trinity-Pawling to a 24-3 record along with Founders League and Tri-State League titles as a senior ... Averaged 17 points and 10 rebounds per game in leading Pawling to a 21-3 record as a junior ... Played at the Episcopal School in Alexandria, Va. as a sophomore ... Ranked No. 28 among HoopScoop national recruits, among Athlon Sports' top-20 senior small forwards (No. 18) and among nation's top-100 recruits ... Listed No. 100 on The Sporting News/Rivals.com top-100 recruits list ... Played in the Wendy's Big Apple Game in Chicago, in the Pittsburgh Hoops Classic held in the Petersen Events Center ... Also played for the nationally renowned Long Island Panthers AAU squad coached by Gary Charles. He also attended the adidas ABCD camp, Three Stripes Tournament and Las Vegas Big Time Tournament ... Competed in track and field and cross country in high school. PERSONAL: Danté A. Milligan ... Born on February 15, 1984 in New York, N.Y. ... Son of Ruby Milligan ... Brother of the late Alonzo Milligan, who passed away in June 2005 in a random shooting in East Harlem ... Alonzo Milligan Mentorship Award was given out at Panasonic Holiday Festival at Madison Square Garden in rememberance of his late brother, starting 2005, when UMass played there ... Majoring in Sport Management and Communcations.

MILLIGAN'S CAREER STATISTICSYear        GP  GS  Min Avg FG  FGA Pct 3FG FGA Pct FT  FTA Pct Off Def Tot Avg PF  FO  Ast TO  Blk Stl Pts Avg2004-05 Pitt    5   0   23  4.6 3   9   .333    1   2   .500    0   4   .000    3   3   6   1.2 4   0   1   5   2   0   7   1.42005-06     22  1   303 13.8    29  64  .453    1   2   .500    13  26  .500    39  48  87  4.0 62  2   2   34  15  8   72  3.32006-07     32  0   307 9.6 41  83  .494    0   0   .000    22  47  .468    35  44  79  2.5 64  2   8   24  16  11  104 3.32007-08 36  21  677 18.8    132 207 .638    0   0   .000    60  112 .536    82  112 194 5.4 123 12  26  61  69  27  324 9.0TOTAL at UMASS  90  22  1287    14.3    202 354 .571    1   2   .500    95  185 .514    156 204 360 4.0 249 16  36  119 100 46  500 5.6TOTAL   95  22  1310    13.8    205 363 .565    2   4   .500    95  189 .503    159 207 366 3.9 253 16  37  124 102 46  507 5.3
Milligan's Career HighsCategory    #   Opponent, DatePoints  24  Stephen F. Austin, 3/18/08Field Goals 11  Stephen F. Austin, 3/18/08Field Goals Att.    14  Stephen F. Austin, 3/18/083-Point FG  1   Coppin State, 12/18/04    1   Saint  Joseph's, 1/11/063-Point FG Att. 1   3 times, last St. Joseph's, 1/11/06Free Throws 11  Charlotte, 1/19/08Free Throw Att. 14  Charlotte, 1/19/08Rebounds    12  vs. Florida, 4/1/08Def. Rebounds   10  at Fordham, 2/15/07Assists 4   Charlotte, 1/19/08Blocks  7   Stephen F. Austin, 3/18/08Steals  3   vs. Charlotte, 3/13/08Minutes 29  vs. Florida, 4/1/08    29  St. Bonaventure, 2/24/08    29  at Saint Joseph's, 1/23/08
Milligan's Miscellaneous StatsCategory    07-08   Car.    Last Time...Double-Figure Scoring   14  19  vs. Ohio State, 4/3/0820-plus points  2   2   S.F. Austin, 3/18/0810-plus rebounds    5   6   vs. Ohio State, 4/3/085-plus rebounds 19  34  vs. Ohio State, 4/3/08Double-Double   3   3   vs. Ohio State, 4/3/08

CAREER HONORS
NIT All-Tournament Team 2008 UMass Athlete of Week (Feb. 18, 2008) A Few Minutes With D. MILLZ
Best Concert I Ever Attended: N.E.R.D.
Favorite Sports Movie: Blue Chips
Best Sporting Event I Ever Attended: 2003-2004 Pitt Football games
Favorite TV Show: BET Comic View
Favorite Web Site: ESPN.com
Favorite Sports Broadcaster: Dick Vitale
Favorite Pro Sports Team: New York Knicks
Pro Sports Team I Would Like To Play For: Miami Heat
Favorite Athletes: Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash
Childhood Idol: Parents
My Most Prized Possession: Brother's Obituary Card
Hobbies: Movies, Clubbin' in various cities
Team I'd Like To See Added To The Schedule: North Carolina and UCLA
Best Player I Ever Faced: Luol Deng
Toughest Place I Ever Played: West Virginia
Magazine Cover I'd Like to Be On: Fortune 500, G.Q., Vanity Affair
My Biggest Fear: Losing another close family member
Most Famous Person I Ever Met: Countless, myself
My Most Memorable Moment in College Athletics: Winning A-10's last year
Place I'd Like to Visit: Brazil and Africa
Best Part About Living In Amherst: No distractions
Best Moment at UMass: Moving out of the dorms
My First Memory of Basketball: Playing in the park with my brother and dad
I Wear My Jersey Number Because: My parents' favorite numbers combined
If I Didn't Play College Basketball I Would Play: Lacrosse
Who Had the Greatest Impact on My Life: Mom, Dad, and Brother (R.I.P.)
Pre-game Rituals: Listening to relaxing music
Best Advice From a Coach: Just go out there and play
Most People Don't Know This But: I'm real laid back and observant
One Thing I Wish I Were Better At: Studying
My Best Non-Athletic Talent: Appearance and ability to work under pressure.
If I Had $1 Billion Dollars I Would: Give half to Mom and Family and make Atlantis my backyard.
The Person I Would Choose to be Stranded on a Deserted Island with: Noémie Lenoir