Bigger Than Basketball
How this New Orleans music mogul-turned-multimillionaire plans to create future leaders in his new role at UNO.
Percy "Master P" Miller is a true businessman, and you can tell by how he started and ended our interview—by hopping on a phone call. The multimillionaire music mogul and trailblazing rapper-turned-entrepreneur wore an all-black University of New Orleans Under Armor set and was adorned with his signature Cartier glasses and massive diamond accessories.
As we sat in the new UNO men's basketball film room, the light bouncing off his large pinky rings, blingy bracelet, iced-out watch, and twinkling bottom grill, his phone vibrated on and off with missed notifications. In between meetings, media interviews, and giving back to the community, the 55-year-old New Orleans native graciously spent over an hour completely focused on our conversation, despite his demanding to-do list. His presentness was a reflection of his down-to-earth personality and humble spirit.
To the world, he is known as Master P, the founder of No Limit Records, father of former child star Romeo, and the blueprint for rappers-turned-millionaires. In New Orleans, he is embracing his latest moniker—Coach P. Miller was named the President of Basketball Operations at UNO in February 2025.
While it may come as a surprise to some, real Master P fans know returning to basketball was a part of his plan all along. Throughout his career, basketball has been his passion project. He played collegiate basketball at the University of Houston and Merritt College in California. He also played in the NBA with the Charlotte Hornets and Toronto Raptors. In addition to playing, he has been coaching for the last two decades. His former AAU team, P. Miller Ballers, won three national championships, where he coached future NBA players including Demar Derozan, Brandon Jennings, Lance Stephenson, and Jalen Suggs.
This year, Coach P is bringing his talents back to his hometown with a vision for New Orleans that expands beyond basketball.
"This is my home," Miller said. "To be able to be here and be president of basketball operations at our city school is probably the most important job I've ever had. It's all about creating future leaders and helping the next generation. This is bigger than basketball."
Miller sees basketball as a catalyst for change for New Orleans youth. In less than a year in his role, he has been devoted to marketing the UNO men's basketball team at local middle schools, building hype around the upcoming basketball season and shedding a new light on the university and its basketball department. By encouraging New Orleans youth to attend UNO, Miller aims to retain more local talent in the city, reinvigorate the Lake Front Arena, and connect New Orleans youth with life-changing opportunities such as college degrees, NIL deals, and advice for life off-the-court.
Since taking on his new role, Coach P has given the UNO basketball facilities a total makeover, including a state-of-the-art locker room, a mini movie theatre-style film room, a newly renovated practice facility, and a freshly painted arena. Like a proud dad, Coach P's smile beamed as he pointed out the little details in the men's basketball locker room: the motivational phrases, the custom marbleized water-inspired floor, and a UNO Privateers logo-shaped light mounted on the ceiling.
"Our jerseys should be sold inside the airport," he said as he settled into his chair, took off one of his bracelets, and put it into his pocket. "This brand represents the city. With having a winning season, we'll get more kids who want to go to school. We'll be changing and saving lives because education is the key."
Coach P's goal for the New Orleans Privateers is to surpass the four wins the team scored last season. He said he is confident the team is prepared to compete as a Division 1 basketball team this November with anyone in the country. As an extra incentive for locals to come out to support the improving men's basketball team, Miller is reaching out to various talents to perform at the halftime show, hinting at potential celebrity appearances.
Miller is bridging his worlds of music, basketball, community, and philanthropy as he headlines the upcoming NOLA Funk Fest with The Soul Rebels on October 17 to 19 in Spanish Plaza. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the men's basketball program. While he closed out his music career this year at Essence Festival, he said he is still open to perform occasionally when it's for a cause. He also plans to continue adding to the New Orleans Walk of Fame, aiming to honor thousands of notable New Orleanians with a global impact.
After decades of working in music, being a serial entrepreneur, and giving back to communities, Miller is embracing being a "servant." His relationship with God and deep sense of gratitude motivate him to seize the day and help as many people as possible.
"I've watched so many successful people sit around that could do something and don't," Miller said. "I'm at that stage where I'm thankful and blessed, and making a difference is important for me. It's what I get up and smile about. I feel like I have a bigger calling now."
Sitting across from Miller, with an infectious chuckle and who dapped up one of the UNO basketball players walking by, it was inspiring to think he is the same man who has graced the Forbes Forty Under 40 list, signed Snoop Dogg to his record label, and was the first rapper to play for the NBA. Even with his global reach and historic achievements, he has a familiar spirit and easy goingness that could only be born and bred in New Orleans.
After the interview wrapped up, he vanished off solo into the practice gym with no entourage, security, or assistant waiting on him. Somehow, without being noticed, he had taken off all of his flashy jewelry. It was as if the celebrity version of Master P hung up his jersey, allowing the faith-fueled, hometown hero Coach P to take center court.
"I'm grateful for what the music has done for me, all the lives I was able to touch, what I was able to build as a company and an organization," he said, reflecting on his career. "The journey is still going, and I feel like this journey is even bigger."
Shaq vs. Master P
Basketball fans will be in for something truly special on October 18, 2025, at the UNO Lakefront Arena.
Basketball and entertainment legends Percy "Coach P" Miller and Shaquille O'Neal will be hosting the "Southwest Shootout," a Division 1 college basketball scrimmage game between the UNO Privateers and the Sacramento State Hornets, with local athletes, as well as NFL and NBA stars, making appearances.
The night will serve as an evaluation of each college's men's basketball programs by UNO Privateers' Head Coach Stacy Hollowell and Sacramento State Hornets' Head Coach Mike Bibby before their seasons begin.
The game will begin at 1p.m., and tickets, available at UNOPrivateers.com/tickets, start at $10.
Master P's Halloween Picks
Halloween Candy:
Snickers
Scary Movie:
Child's Play featuring Chucky
Childhood Costume:
Batman
Spooky Season Song:
"Mind Playing Tricks on Me" by Geto Boys
Halloween Memories
"Going trick-or-treating—going up St. Charles. I lived in the 'hood, so we were like, 'Hey, we're going on St. Charles Street to get the real candy.' I couldn't afford a costume back then. But we had fun, and we were thankful for the little that we had. We had our little brown paper bag from Winn-Dixie [to trick-or-treat]."
