HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Brandon Miller was selected Thursday night by the Charlotte Hornets as the No. 2 pick in the NBA Draft.
General manager Mitch Kupchak said Wednesday the Hornets were considering two players, adding that he believed there’s a “significant separation” in talent among the top three players in the draft.
The Hornets were expected to choose between Alabama wing Miller and guard Scoot Henderson from the NBA G League Ignite.
Miller eagerly talked about meeting Michael Jordan, a six-time NBA champion who recently announced he would sell his share of the Hornets, and was thrilled to have Jordan watch him workout.
His mood changed when asked about troubles off the court in Alabama.
The Hornets would have to be comfortable with any potential fallout from selecting a player who delivered a gun used in a fatal shooting.
Miller has not been charged in the death of Jamea Harris near campus on Jan. 15 and when asked Wednesday if Tuscaloosa police have assured him that he won’t, the freshman forward said he couldn’t talk about it.
Asked if he considered the situation resolved, Miller said: “From my perspective, yeah.”
The San Antonio Spurs started off the night with their pick, France’s Victor Wembanyama, who is considered a generational player, No. 1 overall.
Miller background
The Antioch, Tenn. native had one of the best single seasons in Alabama history. In his one year of college, Miller averaged 18.8 points-per-game on 43% shooting from the floor, including 38.2% from three-point range. He led all Division I freshman in scoring and ranked No. 50 among all players. His on-court accomplishments earned him a bevy of honors, most notably Associated Press First Team All-America and Naismith Player of the Year semifinalist. He was the first player in Southeastern Conference history to be named player of the year, Freshman of the Year and Tournament MVP.
Miller becomes the highest-drafted Alabama since Antonio McDyess went second overall to the Los Angeles Clippers in 1995.
With Miller being drafted, Alabama now has players selected in each of the last three drafts. That is the third-longest streak of consecutive drafts with a player taken, but the longest since six in a row from 1982-'86. This is the second instance of having a three-peat of draftees (last done '95-'97). He joins six other 'Bama alumni in the NBA, including Hazel Green alumnus Kira Lewis, Jr. (New Orleans Pelicans).
Alabama finished 31-6 overall and 16-2 in SEC play, winning the league's regular season and conference tournament titles before being eliminated in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament.