2004-2006 P. Miller Ballers
Coach: Percy Miller aka Master P
Players: DeMar Derozan (NBA), Brandon Jennings (NBA), Lance Stephenson (NBA), Renardo Sidney (USC), Percy Miller (USC), Armon Johnson (NBA), Courey Lucious (Michigan State) Ryan Boatwright (UConn), Auri Allen, Osby, Romero, Matt Simpkins, Matt
Base City: Los Angeles, Milwuakee, New Orleans
Master P, also known by his street name Percy Miller, is a legend in both the rap game and basketball circles. The mogul didn’t just sponsor a team; he flew in top talent from around the country to compete under his banner. Among his roster of elite youngsters were future NBA players DeMar DeRozan, Brandon Jennings, Lance Stephenson, and Armon Johnson, as well as future college stars like Ryan Boatwright and Renardo Sidney. The team had real buzz, especially in a pre social media era. In today’s world, what the Ball Brothers did would have looked tame by comparison. The P Miller Ballers would have broken the internet.
The Ballers weren’t just flashy. They were legit contenders in the national AAU scene. DeRozan, a 6 foot 4 Compton kid with rockets in his legs, was already a highlight machine. Even back then he saw the bigger picture. “I was dunking at a young age, 12 or 13. I was always bigger than everybody, always faster and stronger. It made me separate myself from everybody else.” He famously won the dunk contest at the Main Event in Vegas as just a high school freshman.
This squad might have had the best size and athleticism of any 15U team ever assembled. The frontcourt featured 7 foot 1 Auri “Baby Shaq” Allen, 6 foot 9 Renardo Sidney, 6 foot 5 Lance Stephenson, and the explosive 6 foot 4 DeRozan. And the scary part was they weren’t just tall. They could all move.
“I like coaching on the AAU/high school level. Eventually, I want to coach at the college level or maybe even on an NBA level. I get with people like John Lucas and others and just learn from ’em. Right now, I’m just learnin’ the game.” - Master P
"There’s no telling where I’m gonna go. I got a lot of experience under my belt these last six years. We veterans at this. I get college coaches saying, ‘Man, if you take a job, don’t take a job in our conference”. - Master P
"I think we have some kids who you are going to see on a higher level in years to come,'' said Miller in 2005.
The Tournaments
The Ballers finished third in the 14-Under AAU Nationals; a year later they won the AAU Pacific Basketball Super Regional and finished second in the 15-Under Nationals. Falling to the D-1 Greyhounds in the 2005 AAU 15-under/9th grade National Championship.
DeMar Derozan
High School: Compton High School (Compton, CA)
Recruit Ranking: #5 2007
College: USC
College Stats: 13.9 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 1.5 APG
NBA Draft: 9th Overall 2009
NBA Stats: 21.2 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 4.1 APG
NBA Awards: 6× NBA All-Star, 3× All-NBA Team
DeMar DeRozan was already a Compton legend by the time he joined Master P’s P. Miller Ballers, a youth basketball program that served as both elite AAU team and inner-city pipeline. DeRozan had been a public figure since middle school, gracing magazine spreads for his leaping ability and smooth game. On the Ballers, he was surrounded by national talent like Brandon Jennings and Lance Stephenson, but even among them, DeRozan stood out. Master P wasn’t just a sponsor; he was a hands-on mentor who emphasized discipline and personal growth. In interviews, DeRozan has credited Master P as “a real one,” someone who helped guide him off the court while giving him access to real national-level competition. DeRozan dominated during his high school years at Compton High, averaging 29.2 points and 7.9 rebounds as a senior while leading his team to a second straight Moore League title. But it was his time on the P. Miller Ballers that exposed him to the national stage, pushing him to the next level and putting him in the same orbit as USC and, later, the NBA.
“I am forever grateful… He taught us about life, how to understand business—the business of basketball. He was, in a sense, a father figure." - DeMar Derozan
Brandon Jennings
High School: Oak Hill Academy (Compton, CA)
Recruit Ranking: #3 2007
College: Played in Europe
NBA Draft: 10th Overall 2009
NBA Stats: 14.1 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 5.7 APG
NBA Awards: NBA All-Rookie First Team
Jennings was known as the best point guard in his age group since the 6th grade. Its not a shock that Master P went out of his way to get Jennings to run the show. Jennings was recruited to the team through Derozan who knew Jennings growing up in Southern California. The speedy lefty started at point guard when he played for the Ballers, even over Romeo.
Brandon Jennings was one of the top high school point guard prospects (#3 nationally in 2008) playing at Dominguez in Compton before transferring to Oak Hill Academy. He skipped college to play professionally with Virtus Roma (2008–09), then entered the 2009 NBA Draft, where he was selected 10th overall by the Bucks. Over a 9-season NBA career (555 games), he averaged 14.1 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 5.7 assists. Jennings made the All-Rookie First Team and finished third in Rookie of the Year voting in 2010, but he never earned All-Star, All-NBA, or Rookie of the Year titles. His standout moment came in his seventh game when he dropped 55 points, one of the most explosive rookie performances in recent history.
Lance Stephenson
High School: Abraham Lincoln (Brooklyn, NY)
Recruit Ranking: #9 2009
College: Cincinnati
College Stats: 12.3 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 2.4 APG
NBA Draft: 40th pick in 2010 by Indiana Pacers
NBA Stats: 8.6 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 2.9 APG
Lance Stephenson, nicknamed "Born Ready" and "The 8th Grader," was a highly touted prospect from Abraham Lincoln High School in Brooklyn, ranked #9 in the class of 2009. He made waves early on, catching scouts’ attention as young as 12 years old during the Rumble in the Bronx AAU tournament and later at the prestigious Adidas ABCD Camp, where he famously challenged O.J. Mayo to a one-on-one battle. Stephenson played college ball at the University of Cincinnati, where he averaged around 16.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game. He was drafted 25th overall in the 2010 NBA Draft (not 1999) and went on to have a rollercoaster NBA career. Known for his intensity and versatility, Lance had moments of brilliance alongside stars like Brandon Jennings and DeMar DeRozan, forming a dynamic backcourt during his AAU and early career days. While he never earned Rookie of the Year or multiple All-Star nods, his impact as a high-energy guard and wing player made him a fan favorite and a serious competitor.
Armon Johnson
High School: Reno High School
Recruit Ranking: #32 2008
College: Nevada
College Stats: 14.3 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 4.4 APG
NBA Draft: 2010 NBA Draft 34th Overall 2nd Round 2010
Armon Johnson was a standout player from Reno High School, ranked #32 nationally in the class of 2008. Known for his scoring and playmaking, he finished his high school career as Nevada’s all-time leading scorer with over 2,600 points. He was known as a legend in middle school, the 6'3 guard scored more than 50 points in Nevada more than 5 times. Johnson went on to play college basketball at the University of Nevada, Reno, where he averaged 14.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.4 assists over three seasons. He was a three-time All-WAC selection and the WAC Freshman of the Year. Johnson was selected in the second round of the 2010 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers with the 34th overall pick. Although his NBA career was brief averaging 3.3 points and 1.2 assists over 47 games with Portland and the New Jersey Nets, he made an impact as a solid role player. After his playing career, Johnson transitioned into coaching, taking on assistant and head coaching roles. Contrary to some reports, he did not attend Duke University, nor did he achieve NBA All-Star or major award honors, but he remains a respected figure for his high school and college contributions.
Renardo Sidney
High School: Artesia High School - Fairfax High School
Recruit Ranking: #5 2009
College: Mississippi State
College Stats: 16.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.2 blocks per game
NBA Draft: Not Drafted
Sidney was also associated with the P. Miller Ballers AAU program, playing alongside Romeo Miller and DeMar DeRozan in the mid-2000s. His presence on the Ballers roster gave them size and star power in high-profile tournaments. Like many others in the program, Sidney was drawn to Master P’s promise of mentorship and exposure.
Renardo Sidney was one of the most talented high school prospects of his era. Highly touted from middle school, his 6’8" frame and advanced skillset allowed him to dominate players far older than him. He was known for his polished post moves, ball-handling ability, and soft shooting touch—uncommon for someone his size.
In his sophomore year at Artesia High School, Sidney averaged 18.6 points and 9.0 rebounds per game, earning All-State honors and helping lead his team to a California State Division III championship. After that season, he transferred to Fairfax High School, one of the premier programs in Los Angeles. At Fairfax, Sidney continued to dominate: As a junior, he averaged 24.0 points and 13.3 rebounds, again earning all-state honors. As a senior, he put up 26.5 points and 13.5 rebounds, was selected to the McDonald’s All-American Game, and was named a Parade All-American. Sidney was considered one of the top five players in the country by nearly every major scouting service.
While he put up good numbers in college his attitude and off court problems forced him to be undrafted in the NBA Draft.
Romeo Miller
High School: Beverly Hills High School (Beverly Hills, CA)
Recruit Ranking: #355 1997
College: USC
College Stats: 5.2 points, 1.8 rebounds, 3 assits per game
NBA Draft: Not Drafted
At Beverly Hills High School, Romeo developed a reputation for smart floor leadership and solid passing. As a junior, he averaged 13.9 points and 5.6 assists per game, and by his senior year (2006–07), he focused on distributing, averaging 8.6 points and 9.0 assists. In 2006, Miller was even invited to the prestigious Reebok ABCD Camp, showcasing his national recognition despite being undersized and less athletic than many peers. While Romeo's role at USC was limited (playing sparingly in his two seasons).
In April 2007, Miller verbally committed to USC, and by November, he had signed a national letter of intent. However, the decision was met with skepticism. According to a Wall Street Journal article, USC head coach Tim Floyd acknowledged that the commitment was part of a package deal involving Miller and his close friend DeRozan, then ranked #5 nationally by Scout.com. Floyd recalled a phone call from Percy “Master P” Miller, who said:
"DeMar and Romeo are ready to make their decision. Would you like to have them both on scholarship?"
Floyd’s response: "Absolutely."
The End of An Era
This is where the comparison between Master P and LaVar Ball as basketball fathers gets interesting. I’ve always felt that LaVar borrowed quite a bit from Master P’s playbook. For starters, Master P’s AAU team was nicknamed the “Ballers”, sound familiar? Then there was the Nickelodeon show starring Lil' Romeo called Romeo!, while the Ball family later launched a similar reality series on Facebook called Ball in the Family. Master P had his own clothing line, the “P. Miller” brand; LaVar, in turn, built the “Big Baller Brand.” But one key difference stands out: Master P flew in top talent from across the country to build a dominant AAU team. LaVar, on the other hand, largely kept it in the family and didn’t surround his kids with much outside talent on the AAU circuit.