2023 NBA Draft: Charlotte Hornets select Brandon Miller with No. 2 overall pick
Brandon Miller faced questions about his involvement in the shooting death of Jamea Harris during the pre-draft process
NEW YORK — The Charlotte Hornets selected Alabama wing Brandon Miller with the second pick in the 2023 NBA Draft on Thursday night. There was speculation leading up to the draft that the Hornets would possibly take G League Ignite guard Scoot Henderson over Miller, but the organization drafted on team need and not necessarily best prospect available.
Miller is the second player in Alabama program history to be selected No. 2 overall (Antonio McDyess was drafted by the Los Angeles Clippers in 1995) and the 10th lottery pick to come out of Alabama in NBA Draft history.
"It's a dream come true," Miller said after he was drafted. "I've always dreamed to walk across the stage and shake their hand and take the pictures that we did. It's just all a dream come true. Just ready to get to Charlotte."
The 6-foot-9 wing averaged 18.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 32.7 minutes over 37 games last season. His best game of the season came in an overtime win over South Carolina on Feb. 22 when he not only scored the winning bucket in overtime, but he also made the play to send it into extra minutes, all while putting up 41 points (including six 3-pointers).
Prior to the NCAA tournament, he was shooting over 40% from 3-point range on seven attempts per game and has the length and athleticism to defend multiple positions on the court. He was named the SEC Freshman of the Year and SEC Player of the Year, becoming the first player to win both awards since Anthony Davis did it with Kentucky in 2012.
Miller's involvement in the shooting death of Jamea Harris brought criticism during Alabama's season and throughout the pre-draft process. It's something Miller had to address during meetings with NBA teams and the Hornets undoubtedly did their own background on the case internally.
How Brandon Miller fits with the Charlotte Hornets
Miller is a prolific 3-point shooter and has great size and length to shoot over the defense. The Hornets shot only 33% from behind the arc this past season, second worst in the NBA. Point guard LaMelo Ball dealt with injuries all season and averaged 23.3 points and 8.4 assists in only 36 games this past year. He was named the 2021 NBA Rookie of the Year and is one of the best passers in transition.
"LaMelo, man, that's definitely one of the guys. He made me feel like a little brother away from home," Miller said. "I feel like our bond will get closer, just due to the past time. I feel like we're always going to be together, and if not, I'm probably somewhere around him. Just seeing him at my workout was kind of just not a dream, but it's a dream come true to see all the top guys watch you work out."
Miller possesses a great combination of shooting mechanics, positional size and natural feel for the game and is someone who can slide in right away alongside Ball on the perimeter and give a much-needed boost to this struggling Hornets team. The Hornets finished 27-55 last season and haven't made the playoffs since 2016.
