McMillan headed to the desert

Jamelle McMillan has seen enough gray skies and light rain. The 6-foot-2 point guard from Seattle (Wash.) O'Dea is leaving the nine months of grey weather for some sunshine in the desert. The three-star guard is headed to the Pac-10.

McMillan said the relationship that he has formed with Herb Sendek and his staff was enough to commit to Arizona State.

"It had everything to do with it," McMillan said. "When it was all said and done, they were the reason why I picked ASU. When I was down there for an unofficial visit last weekend, I just liked the way they presented themselves, their sense of humor, the way they could laugh and joke and then turn on the business side of things. I couldn't have asked for a better group of guys."

Sendek and his staff is putting in the work. With McMillan, the work started when the staff was at NC State, where McMillian's father, Nate, played. The younger McMillan said he likes the direction and approach Sendek and staff are taking in Tempe.

"They are just so respected in the college basketball world and they are respected so well at ASU. I like what they are doing there," McMillan said. "They have a good vision and the university is focused on them, waiting to see what they are going to do. The school and the fans are wanting to see what they can do there. I know it will take a couple of years to do it because they basically have to build a whole new team but I like the direction it is all going."

Arizona State scored a major coup last week when five-star guard James Harden verbally committed to the school.

"The players that they are bringing in are all very good. With James and Eric Boateng and some of the other guys that they are working on like Clint Chapman, who is very good, I think it's just a matter of time before that excitement really steps up," McMillan said.

McMillan said he also strongly considered Clemson and NC State.