Mike Miller is planning and building for the future.

The third year men’s basketball head coach signed three high school players to National letters of intent Wednesday afternoon.

He wasted no time, as it was the first day of the early signing period.

Miller signed Daimian Garrett, Will Hamilton and James Hollowell, who are all from Indiana-area high schools.

Miller said with Indiana being as close as it is to Illinois, they often look for players there.

Miller said he was careful with his selection of players to sign and fully considered the needs of his team.

“You have to look what we’re losing,” he said. “We’ll be losing a core of seniors next season and these guys fit what we need.”

The Panthers will be losing five players who are in their last year of eligibility.

Miller said he had been scouting the players for a few years now and said all three came from good programs and backgrounds.

He said he was impressed with the ability of the players.

“They all are good at shooting the ball,” Miller said. “They all have athleticism. They’re all versatile players and that’s what we need.”

Garrett, a 6-foot-6, 195-pound forward from Evansville Reitz High School, plays swingman and averaged 19 points a game during his junior season. Hollowell is a 6-foot-5 small forward from Indianapolis North Central High School. As a junior, Hollowell averaged 5.6 points a game and 5.5 rebounds a game.

Hamilton is a 6-foot-3, 175- pound shooting guard from Greenfield Central High School and averaged 17.5 points a game as a junior.

Miller said this recruiting class would have a good chance of seeing some playing time next season because of the loss of players at the end of this season.

“As a program, this is about competition and balance,” he said. “That’s what’s important to us. They’ll have opportunities to play.”

Miller said he believes this recruiting class can make an immediate difference.

The Panthers (1-1) will play Western Illinois at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Macomb.