Caleb Mills starts most days putting up shots on his own at the Laurie-Walton Family Basketball Center.

That’s followed by practice with his new Memphis basketball coaches and teammates. Then more solo shooting drills. After a lunch break, he and the Tigers lift weights. Finally, one more shooting session. Some days, it’s two more.

“I’ve always been competitive,” he said. “If I’m doing something, I’m obsessed with it.”

That kind of drive is a big part of what makes Mills who he is. It’s one of the reasons the Florida State transfer was so coveted by coach Penny Hardaway. When the school announced Mills’ signing in April, Hardaway said that it was among the things “that separates Caleb.”

It’s also partially why expectations for the 2023-24 Tigers are as high as they are.

Hardaway is essentially starting from scratch. The only player returning from last season’s roster is his son, Jayden. In recent weeks, Memphis has made several high-profile additions: point guard Jahvon Quinerly, center Jordan Brown and small forward David Jones.

But when Mills, a former Houston Cougars standout, joined the Tigers, a new foundation was laid — one predicated on passion, perspective and perfectionism.

In the beginning, there was … kickball?

Mills — once among the most promising and productive players in a star-studded AAC — can’t remember a time when his will to win wasn’t intensely present. When wanting to be the best at everything wasn’t the goal.

The 23-year-old, who has nine siblings and half-siblings (four boys and five girls, three older and six younger), was born in Arden, N.C. Sports was always near the forefront of his life growing up on Ducker Road. In fact, there was a time Mills was convinced he had a future in professional sports — just not basketball.

“I wanted to be a pro kickball player,” he said. “I made sure I wore Timberlands on days when we played kickball at recess. I was the first overall pick at Avery’s Creek Elementary every time.”

Mills was introduced to basketball early on. His father, Demond, was a star player in high school and later played at nearby Brevard College, now a Division III program. But Demond held his son out of organized basketball until the fourth grade. Not because he was undersized for his age, although he was. Not because he preferred his son play baseball.

“Because they had the goals lowered and they weren’t calling traveling or double-dribbling,” Demond said. “That’s a lot of bad habits to have to break. I just wanted him to understand the game a little better.”

Instead, Caleb hardly had to leave home to properly hone his skills. His grandfather, Cookie, who became a real estate developer after a 30-year career at the local power company, built an outdoor court in the neighborhood. He erected lighting fixtures so not even nightfall would get in Caleb's way.

But Cookie didn’t stop there. The left-hander, now 75, wanted to help his grandson (born right-handed) to expand his game.

“We’d play 1-on-1, but I told him and his brother (Collin), ‘Any score you make with your right hand don’t count against me,” Cookie said. “Both of ‘em would say, ‘I can’t shoot left-handed.’ I wasn’t hearing that.

"Caleb learned quick, and now he can do both."

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Older, wiser, better

Mills wasn’t just a quick study on the court. A straight-A student, he opted out of his senior year, graduated high school early and enrolled at Houston. He joined the 2018-19 Cougars midseason and redshirted. The next season, he was the team’s leading scorer (13.2 points per game).

But his time at Houston almost didn’t happen. His skills and grades were good enough to catch Harvard’s attention. Princeton, too. Mills even set up a visit with Harvard.

“I remember when (Harvard coach) Tommy Amaker called,” Demond said. “I said, ‘Is he in?’ He said, ‘I wouldn’t be talking to you if he wasn’t.’ That was probably the happiest I was out of all the offers he had. How many kids get the opportunity to go to Harvard?”

First, Mills visited Houston — and committed before leaving campus.

But halfway through his redshirt sophomore season at Houston, Mills withdrew. Part of it was the COVID-19 pandemic and the desire to move closer to family, according to Demond. Caleb eventually transferred to Florida State, where he spent the past two seasons, averaging 13 points and 3.4 assists a game last season.

This past spring, it was time for a change. Mills chose to play for Memphis largely because of Hardaway, whom he calls “a player’s coach.” Demond says his son is most successful in an offensive scheme that prioritizes spacing, and he believes Caleb has found that with the Tigers.

“I haven’t been this excited ever about a season,” Demond said.

Caleb Mills says his outlook on the upcoming season, both for himself and the team, easily surpasses that of even the most optimistic person. Arriving on campus in May, he calls the transition “seamless.”

But he isn’t sure he would feel that way if not for what he experienced. Mills is more mature today than he was as a hotshot, face-of-the-program player. So much so that he even wonders in retrospect whether leaving Houston was the right move. He called his decision "selfish."

But Mills also wouldn't change anything about his journey, largely because he believes he has found the proper destination.

“I don’t regret (leaving Houston),” he said, “because now I’m here with Coach Penny. I’m glad I’m here.”

Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @munzly.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Caleb Mills' journey from kickball star to Memphis basketball leader