Pacers legend Reggie Miller was back in Indiana on Thursday, one day before embarking on a 100-mile bike ride for an important cause.
On Friday morning, Miller will be one of 50 cyclists riding from Fishers to Terre Haute in the Tour De Komen to raise awareness of breast cancer. In advance of Friday's race, Miller held a press conference at Bankers Life Fieldhouse alongside Tour De Komen founder Kyle Vannoni and four of the top female riders in the nation, Holly Breck, Lauren Tucker Hall, Ayesha McGowan, and Raylyn Nuss.
Vannoni founded the Tour De Komen to benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation of Central Indiana in memory of his mother, whom he lost to breast cancer at the age of 12. Vannoni approached Miller, an avid cyclist, on social media about participating in the race and Miller agreed to join for the 2019 ride.
"Over 30 years, I've been blessed to have a platform," Miller said. "If you're going to have a platform, to me, it's all about your reach and how can you help people."
Miller and Vannoni will be joined by what Miller calls the "Dream Team," a formidable quartet of professional female cyclists with numerous years of experience.
"Just like Donnie Walsh, he always surrounded me with great teammates, and that's why I figured to do," Miller said. "I wanted to surround myself with the best teammates in the world."
The team's goal is to raise $100,000 this year. To donate, go to https://www.tourdekomen.org/ and click "Support TDK" and then "Donate."
Miller expressed excitement for the support he expects during the race, which leaves from 116th and Allisonville Road at 8:00 AM on Friday, reflecting on all the support he experienced when the Pacers made their run to NBA Finals in 2000.
"It was a joy to go and come down, to leave my development and see all the houses decorated in Pacer gear, signs in the front yard, encouragement," Miller said. "We'll get a lot of that tomorrow.
"I just know how Indiana people are. They're very giving, they're very loving, and they're very supportive."