The son of rap icon and celebrated entrepreneur Master P has committed to playing basketball at Tennessee State University (TSU), an HBCU, over major programs like the University of Southern California (USC), Vanderbilt, Georgetown and the University of California Los Angeles.

Hercy Miller, a 6-foot-3 senior combo guard at Minnehaha Academy in Minnesota, had his eyes set on Vanderbilt or TSU, but ultimately chose the latter because he wanted to join a wave of elite hoops prospect electing to bring attention to HBCU programs, according to The Tennessean. 

"I feel like if I go to an HBCU, I can put a spotlight on for all the HBCUs around so that's what I wanted to do. I wanted to make a change. I want to make a difference," Miller told TMZ Sports alongside his beaming father. "I'm the type of person, I want to be a leader. I want to lead my people. I feel like going to Tennessee State University, I can be part of community and be a player at the same time."

"I’ve always grown up being a leader, my dad told me never follow the crowd. I want to make a difference,” he said in an interview with ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith. “I feel like most people think like HBCUs and mid major schools can’t do it. They have a lot of pro’s that come out of HBCUs.”

ESPN ranks the 19-year-old as a three-star recruit and the fifth-highest rated prospect in the state.

The senior guard said his upbringing played a big role in his decision to attend TSU. He shared that he grew up seeing his father, born Percy Miller, passionate about philanthropy in their community, which has motivated the 50-year-old set his sights on eventually owning an HBCU.

“I used to want to own an NBA team now I want to own an HBCU,” Master P wrote on Instagram. “More women graduate from HBCU’s [sic] than any other university and I love that. If we’re going to change the narrative, it has to start with the truth, education, and economic empowerment.”

The hip-hop mogul said that his son’s decision transcends the sport and could lead to a wave of opportunities for Black universities and athletes. 

“This is so big for the culture with my son going to an HBCU and going to Tennessee State. This is going to change the narrative. This is about economic empowerment and teaching that, and being able to make sure that these HBCU’s are in the spotlight,” he told ESPN. “I think this is a movement. I think so many kids behind him will be coming to do this now – I’m talking about top athletes like Hercy.”

During the 90s, the rap legend, having already established himself in the music industry, secured two contracts with two NBA teams. He signed with the Charlotte Hornets in the preseason of 1998 and with the Toronto Raptors in the preseason a year later. The “Mr. Ice Cream Man" artist wasn’t invited to join either team at the start of their respective regular seasons, but would go on to play in both the Continental Basketball Association and the short-lived International Basketball League.

Rapper Romeo, Hercy’s older brother and former child rap star, played basketball at USC for two years after a shoulder injury derailed his career, ESPN reports.

Although he said he’s proud of the family legacy, Hercy shared that he wants to make his own name. “I want to be my own person, but another thing I’ve got to do is protect my family name. That’s what people don’t realize, but I just work every day to try to create my own name,” he said. “I don’t just want to be known as Master P’s son. I want to be Hercy Miller.”

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