Steve Clifford has had plenty of nice things to say about rookie Brandon Miller and the Charlotte Hornets head coach offered more praise for the second pick this week.
The Hornets began training camp this week and have had several practices together since kicking things off. That means Clifford and the rest of the team have gotten an extended look at Miller on the court in various scrimmages and drills.
The 20-year-old impressed his teammates and coaching staff throughout the offseason and has continued that into training camp. He has brought a calm demeanor with him and has displayed a high IQ and feel for the game in the early going.
“He is a really good competitor,” Clifford said this week. “He is good with his teammates. He has an edge. You saw it last year (at Alabama). He likes to compete and he has an edge when he plays.”
Miller was a versatile player at Alabama and has the tools to make an immediate impact this season. Clifford believes the 6-foot-9 forward has a unique combination of size, skill and IQ that is rather uncommon around the league.
Mic’d up the rook for Day 4 🎙️@brandmillerr | #LetsFly35 pic.twitter.com/F9DgoWWX7o
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) October 6, 2023
He had the opportunity to get a head start on the Hornets’ playbook in summer league. Those practices and games gave him a chance to learn the system and some of the coverages and terminology he will see in the regular season.
The Hornets want to run an uptempo offense often this season, which is how Miller likes to play. He thrived in that style in college and is eager to get started in the NBA.
“(Training camp has been) what I expected, a lot faster, but I think that is just one of the things I love to play: A fast-paced game,” Miller said. “Get out in transition, get a lot of open 3s and layups, and now the midrange. I’m just really out here having fun.”
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