From Alabama standout to NBA star: the rapid rise of Brandon Miller
In short: A consensus five-star recruit, Brandon Miller transitioned from a dominant collegiate season at Alabama to becoming the second overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft. His meteoric ascent through the basketball ranks was marked by record-breaking performances and a swift entry into the professional ranks with the Charlotte Hornets.
Brandon Miller's journey to the NBA was defined by exceptional collegiate statistics. During his freshman season at the University of Alabama, he set a program record by scoring 41 points in an overtime victory against South Carolina on February 22, 2023. This performance helped propel him to become the SEC Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year, while also earning him consensus second-team All-American honors.
Despite his collegiate success, Miller's performance in the NCAA tournament was notably inconsistent. In Alabama's three tournament games, he shot only 19% from the field, a figure that stands as the lowest shooting percentage for any player with at least 35 attempts in the tournament since 1985. This struggle occurred as the Crimson Tide were eliminated in the third round by San Diego State.
Upon entering the 2023 NBA draft, Miller was selected second overall by the Charlotte Hornets. His professional career has seen significant scoring milestones, including a career-high 38 points against the Detroit Pistons on November 21, 2024. However, his momentum has faced physical setbacks, including wrist surgery in January 2025 and shoulder surgery in May 2026 to address instability.
Miller's basketball pedigree is a family affair; his father, Darrell Miller, played football for Alabama in the early 1990s. Interestingly, Miller has cited NBA star Paul George as his personal idol, noting that he has modeled his own playing style after George's game.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Brandon Miller (basketball, born 2002)
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