During high school, Mills was the first player in the state to lead his team to back-to-back titles in 1924 and 1925.

He totaled 32 points in four state tournament games for Elgin High School during an era of low-scoring play.

Mills played for the Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team from 1927 to 1930[1] followed by a five-year coaching stint at Joliet Township High School.

[2] He coached the famous "Whiz Kids" and also served as the Fighting Illini's athletic director.

In 2007, the Illinois High School Association named Mills one of the 100 Legends of the IHSA Boys Basketball Tournament.