Arnold's Journey

     Miguel Arnold is in his fifth year of playing for the Augusta University Jaguars basketball team. Arnold eats, sleeps and breathes basketball and has done so since the age of 12. Arnold grew up in San Juan, Puerto Rico and it was there, where he really developed his love for the game. His outgoing personality mixed with his great leadership qualities is the perfect combination for success, not only on the court and in the classroom, but in life.

Arnold shared that all of his friends in Puerto Rico, grew up playing basketball while he originally started with football. Eventually, he made the transition to basketball, and instantly he became a natural. While playing in a competitive basketball tournament in high school, head basketball coach at Augusta, Dip Metress noticed Arnold and started to recruit him.

“The recruiting process was really fun,” said Arnold. “Dip traveled to Miami to watch me play several times. I am very appreciative that Coach Dip showed high interest in me since the first time he watched me play. My skills were good enough to receive a basketball scholarship to this school which I do not regret at all.” 

When Arnold first arrived on campus at Augusta, he had an issue adjusting to the language barrier because not many people spoke his language, Spanish. Also, being away so far away from home, Arnold said he tried to find motivation and he found that motivation through himself and his family. 

“I did have a lot of trouble with the language when I first got to Augusta because not many people spoke Spanish and when I first got to Augusta my English was not good at all,” said Arnold. “I say myself because I truly love basketball and it’s pretty much what I want to do until I can’t anymore. Other than that, how much my family has sacrificed for me to be here today and that is more than enough for me to stay motivated.”

One of Arnold’s former teammates, Jack Johnson, who finished playing in 2021 had a strong relationship with him. Johnson said he grew to like Arnold's personality more and more as they got to know each other better. 

“As we played longer and longer together, I grew to appreciate him more for his laid back nature and willingness to accept anyone,” Johnson said. 

When asked about Arnold’s impact on the team, Johnson had nothing but positive things to say about him. He looks back with all the memories he has and enjoys the times they spent together.

“He brought a lot of comedy and positive energy off the court, and on the court he was a great spark seeing as how he could get hot at any given moment.”

The head trainer for Augusta is Lisa Cummins. This will be her 20th year overseeing the athletes, mainly the men’s basketball team. Cummins has had the chance to be around Arnold for five years and get to know him well. Cummins discussed that she really got to know him a lot better during covid because of how the rules and regulations all lined up. 

“He’s really actually kind of quiet, and he’s very quirky,” Cummins said. “When you see him on the court he doesn’t say a whole lot, more of a quiet leader. He’s actually kind of quiet in the training room as well, like he will joke around with his teammates but sometimes he just comes in and doesn’t say a word.” 

Cummins talked more about how Arnold is looked at as a leader on the team. When the team is struggling they will always go to the veteran Arnold for guidance on how they should hold themselves on the court. 

“Miguel is one of the emotional leaders of the team, kind of like an unsung hero,” Cummins said. “He wants the ball in his hand in the last second of the game, because he feels like he is going to make whatever shot he shoots.”

Fast forward to last year, the Augusta Jaguars were in the NCAA Regional game, and the winner advances to the Elite Eight in Evansville, Indiana. Not only was this a great opportunity for the team and the school, but for Miguel Arnold and his legacy at Augusta. It came down to the final shot, and the ball ended up in who else but Miguel Arnold’s hands for the final shot, and he made it for the crowd to go crazy, storm the court and for Augusta to advance farther into the tournament. 

It all came full circle for Miguel Arnold, from being the student who was struggling to figure things out. To eventually making the biggest shot in the history of Augusta basketball, all while leading his team to a historic run.