Shoes squeaking, nets swooshing, teammates cheering – the basketball court is where passion meets precision. Every athlete strives for success, but very few stand out. Aden Millwee, ‘25, exemplifies hard work, determination, triumph and resilience, all of which have propelled him to the forefront of the Fresno Christian Boys Varsity Basketball team.
Millwee has an undeniable talent for the sport that stems from early on in his life. He has been dribbling a basketball for as long as he can remember, for which he thanks his father, Jason Millwee. Millwee played collegiate basketball for four seasons at Abilene Christian University in Texas. Over the past 18 years, he has instilled his passion for the sport into his son and has loved watching Aden grow to love the sport just as much as he does.
“I lived out my basketball journey, so I wanted him to pick his own path,” Jason Millwee said. “Sports speaking, my desire with Aden is to always match his desire and drive with equal support and guidance.”
From the moment he was old enough to play for Dry Creek Elementary School’s basketball team, Millwee has stepped out onto the court with composure and confidence. He played for Dry Creek fourth through sixth grade and played for two years at Alta Sierra Middle School.
Transitioning to high school level basketball is a pivotal step in a young athlete’s career. Millwee played his freshman season at Buchanan High School, later transferring to Fresno Christian for the remainder of his high school years. Millwee had a difficult experience playing for Buchanan his freshman year due to the head coach at the time being incredibly intense, demanding and authoritative towards his players.
Millwee’s parents, Jason and Laura Millwee, had considered enrolling their son at Fresno Christian, and the negative experience at Buchanan helped to solidify their decision.
Since transferring, Aden Millwee has flourished on and off the court. Being at a faith-based school has allowed him to establish more meaningful friendships with classmates and teammates who share similar values. He even won Homecoming King his senior year, which is a fond memory for the Millwees. One friendship that has resonated with him has been with fellow Senior Trevor Engelman.
“Aden and I both transferred from different schools our sophomore year and met over the summer at basketball practice. I thought to myself, ‘Who is this kid?’” Engelman said. “I did not think he would become one of my best friends. Aden is someone I can always rely on, on and off the court.”
Millwee has been recognized year after year for a range of awards including:
- 22/23 Season: NWSC West Co-MVP, 1st Team All League, 1st Team All Conference along with being nominated for Boys Basketball Player of the Year in Fresno County
- 23/24 Season: NWSC West Offensive Player of the Year, 1st Team All League and 1st Team All Conference
- 24/25 Season: Robin Lopez MVP Award, The Mission Prep Christmas Classic Day 2 Player of the Game
As Millwee’s basketball career soared to new heights during his senior season, a different challenge arose at home — one that would test his strength and resilience. His mother, Laura Millwee, had been diagnosed with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer in her liver. She had previously fought and beaten breast cancer in 2022, but she experienced a relapse last fall.
This cancer is unable to be treated with chemotherapy. The treatment consists of a combination of traditional and alternative medicine. Millwee takes oral pills and drinks four cups of pressed carrot juice with one tablespoon of Manuka honey per day.
Jason, Laura, Aden and older sister Mattie Millwee have all leaned on their faith to guide them through these difficult times. Aden Millwee does not shy away from the impact his mother’s diagnosis has had on him, and he remembers times where he would cry and simply ask “Why?” When the doctors delivered the news, he took time off of basketball to focus on his family. Millwee has been supported tremendously by his peers at FCS since his mothers diagnosis. Many students wear breast cancer awareness bracelets to this day to show their support.
“This will sound cliche, but the biggest piece of advice that I have to anyone who is going through a similar situation is to talk to someone about it. I am incredibly lucky to have the support system that I have,” Millwee said. “All of the prayers and encouragement my family has received has opened my eyes to how, even though we cannot see Him, God is always moving and working.”
Laura Millwee underwent full body scans in December 2024, which revealed her cancer has not grown nor spread. This news has uplifted her whole family, especially Aden Millwee.
“The news from my mom’s latest scans was a huge weight off my shoulders,” Millwee said. “Her diagnosis has taught me to never take a day for granted because we do not know the plan God has in store for us.”
Millwee feels as though his mother’s journey has impacted him greatly but that it does not define him as an athlete; he is focused on playing a pivotal role in the ‘24-‘25 basketball season at Fresno Christian. Millwee strives to be a better player everyday to progress his team as a whole by elevating his performance, accountability and teamwork.
For his senior season, he has changed his jersey number to 11, his mothers number in high school. In previous years his number was 32, which was his fathers jersey number in college.
FCS Boys Basketball Head Coach Jon Penberthy has coached Millwee for three consecutive seasons and has high hopes for his future. Penberthy has been a mentor to Millwee since he was 16 years old.
“When Aden came to FCS he was only a shooter, but he has since expanded his game-play in many ways,” Penberthy said. “Aden does a great job in leading by example; his work ethic on and off the court is what sets him up for success in games. He is a good enough player to take his career to a collegiate level.”
Millwee currently has a scholarship offer from Hawaii Pacific University in Honolulu, HI. HPU is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II / PacWest Conference caliber team. He is also currently talking with coaches from Sonoma State University and Vanguard University about other collegiate opportunities. Millwee wants to stay on the West Coast to stay close to family, but he is not opposed to going to school farther away if need be.
While preparing to journey into an exciting new chapter of his life, Aden Millwee reflects on his last three years on Fresno Christian’s basketball court. This court holds memories of game-winning threes, locking up opponents on defense, the roar of the student section and long-lasting friendships.
Off the Fresno Christian court, Millwee participates in Amature Athlete Union, which is referred to as club or travel basketball. This league is a way for young athletes to gain attention from college coaches and programs. Millwee’s AAU team was coached by his father; one memory he cherishes is when his team went to a tournament in Florida in 2023.
“That team had a lot of guys from our Fresno Christian team on it,” Millwee said. “That particular tournament was a great team-bonding experience, and playing in such a big gym all the way in Florida made it even better.”
Athletes cannot climb to the top without pursuing excellence through diligence and discipline. Millwee spends countless hours outside of the FCS gym training. His father, Jason Millwee, is his personal coach and trainer. At their home, he has a weightlifting gym and outdoor basketball court with a shooting machine. Millwee has three certain workout programs that he strictly follows in addition to participating in his AAU team in the off season. This is all while maintaining a perfect 4.0 grade point average.
As the season progresses, Millwee aims to leave a lasting impact on the Fresno Christian athletics program; he hopes to do so not just through his talent on the court, but as an example of leadership and dedication. Whether it is through game plays or resilience in the face of adversity, Millwee strives to inspire those around him.
Phillipians 4:13 empowers Millwee: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” This verse stood out to Millwee from a very young age, and considers it a good reminder that with God by his side, he can accomplish anything.
Millwee expresses gratitude to the FC basketball program, coaches, teammates, family and peers for helping him build a foundation that will undoubtedly propel him to new heights in both basketball and life.
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