Former Alabama basketball star Brandon Miller helped the Charlotte Hornets defeat the Pistons on Wednesday night with a buzzer-beater.
Former Alabama Crimson Tide basketball standout Brandon Miller was part of one of the most memorable plays from the NBA slate Wednesday night, as the Charlotte Hornets forward played a key role in their win over the Detroit Pistons.
In this, Miller was also the reason why the Hornets defeated the Pistons at the end of regulation, tipping in a basket as time expired to win by the final score of 108-107. Miller also had 19 points for the Hornets in the win, as well as six rebounds and four assists.
So far this season, Miller has started all four games that he has played in his second season in Charlotte where the former Alabama star is averaging 12.8 PPG, 3.3 RPG, and 3 APG. Miller is also shooting a combined 35.4% from the field, as well as 31% from three and 88.9% at the free throw line.
The full video of Miller’s buzzer-beater from Wednesday night against the Pistons can be found below:
Last season, the Charlotte Hornets struggled without their offensive leader, LaMelo Ball, leading to a disappointing campaign. However, the team enters this year with a projected win total of 30.5, a significant improvement from their previous two …
Last season, the Charlotte Hornets struggled without their offensive leader, LaMelo Ball, leading to a disappointing campaign. However, the team enters this year with a projected win total of 30.5, a significant improvement from their previous two seasons (21 wins in 2023-24 and 27 wins in 2022-23). This summer, they hired Charles Lee, who many considered to be one of the top upcoming head coaches. Then, the Hornets focused on upgrading their roster and acquiring valuable draft assets. They re-signed Miles Bridges to a three-year, $75 million deal, traded for Josh Green, and selected Tidjane Saluan and KJ Simpson in the draft.
While the Bridges signing was notable, the key moves came from a series of trades that provided Charlotte with much-needed flexibility. Despite being over the salary cap, the Hornets managed to acquire Green, all while adding seven second-round picks in the process. The Hornets acquired three of those second-round picks along with DaQuan Jeffries, Charlie Brown, and Duane Washington Jr. to help facilitate the New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves’ trade of Karl-Anthony Towns for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo.
The team’s improvement largely hinges on the health of Ball, who played only 21 games last season but was the team’s leading scorer with 23.9 points and 8 assists per game. His return is the primary source of optimism, as the offense will once again revolve around his playmaking. Brandon Miller, named to the All-Rookie 1st Team after averaging 17.3 points per game, adds another key element to their offensive firepower. On the defensive end, Bridges and Mark Williams form a solid defensive presence, although Williams is currently sidelined with a strained tendon.
Collin Sexton and Brandon Miller on the same team? See why some believe it’s a possibility.
The NBA has a handful of talented stars who were once standouts for the Alabama Crimson Tide. Whether it be lottery picks or second-round selections that worked their way onto the court, the league is starting to feel the Tide’s presence.
Collin Sexton, of the Utah Jazz, and Brandon Miller, of the Charlotte Hornets, were two fan favorites in Tuscaloosa during their collegiate days. Both being one-and-done players, they had an immense impact on the program in their respective single seasons.
Sexton played under former head coach Avery Johnson, while Miller was one of the biggest recruiting victories for current head coach Nate Oats. The two NBA standouts have never been teammates, but they are one trade away from changing that.
Jack Simone of Swarm and Sting recently put together a few trades the Hornets should explore as the 2024 NBA draft approaches.
With the No. 6 overall pick, Charlotte may look to leverage that as a trade piece to land a player with experience to guide the young, but talented, franchise to success.
Simone proposes the Hornets send the No. 6 pick, a protected future first-round pick and Davis Bertans in exchange for Sexton and the No. 10 overall pick from the Jazz.
“Throughout the course of his career, Sexton has made a name for himself as a hard-nosed player who always gives his all when he’s on the court. The Hornets could use a guy like that.
“He’s a bit undersized, but with the constant energy he brings to the court, he could help Charles Lee transform how the Hornets play on that end of the floor.”
There’s no indication that this trade is impending, but it is interesting to consider it as a possibility, especially as experts believe that numerous trades are inevitable as the draft approaches.
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Brandon Miller recalls Michael Jordan hilariously air balling a free throw the first time they met
Despite only spending one season with the Alabama Crimson Tide before heading off to the NBA, [autotag]Brandon Miller[/autotag] will be in the conversation of the all-time greats in Tuscaloosa. Miller was the best college basketball player in the country during the 2022-23 season as he guided the Crimson Tide to a 31-6 record with an SEC regular season and tournament title and earned the No. 1 overall seed in March Madness.
Miller averaged 18.8 ppg, 8.2 rpg and 2.1 apg with Alabama before being selected No. 2 overall by Michael Jordan and the Charlotte Hornets. If it was any other year, Miller would almost certainly have been the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, but unfortunately, all-time prospect Victor Wembanyama was also in the 2023 draft class.
The Hornets were never going to be able to pass on Miller’s talent, but Jordan was a huge advocate of brining in the 6’7 small forward. Miller appeared on the Knuckleheads podcast this week and shared a hilarious story of the first time het got to meet Jordan in person. Miller laughs at the memory saying, “He was talking cash money to me, then I seen him airball the free throw, and it was just up from there. You know, Jordan missing a free throw is crazy.”
Miller was sensational in his rookie season with the Hornets as he was named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month three separate times. He was also named a First-team All-Rookie earlier in the week.
Brandon Miller tells the story of Michael Jordan airballing a free-throw during Miller’s first workout with the charlotte Hornets:
“Jordan missing a free-throw is crazy. Jordan airballing a free-throw? Crazy.” 😂💀
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Charlotte Hornets Brandon Miller ranked No. 17 in The Ringer’s top 25 players under the age of 25
The San Antonio Spurs‘ No. 1 overall pick Victor Wembanyama stole the show this season with one of the most remarkable rookie seasons in NBA history as he finished runner-up in Defensive Player of the Year rankings while averaging 21.4 ppg, 10.6 rpg and 3.9 apg. Quietly though, former Alabama Crimson Tide SF [autotag]Brandon Miller[/autotag] was phenomenal for the Charlotte Hornets after being their No. 2 overall selection in the 2023 NBA draft.
This year, Miller became just the third rookie in Charlotte history to win the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month award in three consecutive months alongside LaMelo Ball in 2020-21 and Raymond Felton in 2005-06. Miller appeared in 74 games for the Hornets this year, averaging 17.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg and 2.4 apg in 32.2 minutes a night. As a 6’7″ lights-out shooter with a ton of defensive potential, he is the perfect player for the modern-day NBA. The Ringer staff ranked the NBA’s next generation with the top 25 players under 25, where Miller was ranked No. 17.
The Ringer believes there is a lot of hope for Miller saying,
“In his first season, Miller quickly established himself as a franchise pillar. His GOAT is Paul George, and Miller paid tribute to him by producing a better rookie season than George’s, averaging 17 points, four boards, two assists, and at least one highlight play per night. His combination of athleticism, versatility, offensive efficiency, and smooth shooting has the Hornets giddy about his potential ascent into superstardom.”
However, if there is a reason for doubt it’s because,
“During its second run as the Charlotte Hornets, the franchise has struggled to build competent teams, mired by curious draft choices and free agent signings. Even LaMelo Ball, the 2021 Rookie of the Year, has struggled to stay on the floor and lift the team out of the play-in. In March, the Hornets hired Jeff Peterson, a former assistant general manager of the Brooklyn Nets, to lead a front office with a lot to prove. Time will tell whether the Hornets can get back to relevance, but Miller will be the face of the next era, for better or worse.”
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Former Alabama F Brandon Miller named to NBA All-Rookie first-team.
If it was virtually any other year, former Alabama Crimson Tide superstar [autotag]Brandon Miller[/autotag] would have had a legitimate argument to be the NBA’s Rookie of the Year in 2024. Unfortunately for the Hornets’ ascending young star, he happened to be in the same draft class as Victor Wembanyama, the most highly-regarded draft prospect of all time.
Wembanyama, of the San Antonio Spurs, backed it up with 21.4 points per game, 10.6 rebounds per game, 3.9 assists per game and 3.6 blocks per game, as well as finishing second in the Defensive Player of the Year voting.
Miller was sensational himself with 17.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg and 2.4 apg and earned three Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month awards. One of the greatest things about Miller is that he is very rarely hurt too, and availability is the best ability as he appeared in 74 of 82 games and started 68 of them.
Today, the NBA announced that Miller was named to the 2023-24 All-Rookie team alongside Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Bradin Podziemski
2023-24 NBA All-Rookie teams:
First team: Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren, Brandon Miller, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Brandin Podziemski
Second team: Dereck Lively II, GG Jackson II, Keyonte George, Amen Thompson, Cason Wallace
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Wembanyama, the Rookie of the Year, and Holmgren were unanimous selections to the first team, earning all 99 votes from a global panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. Miller finished in third place with 97 first-team votes.
The 10 players selected to the two teams emerged as the top of the class following productive campaigns. They each have bright futures ahead and are cornerstones for their respective organizations.
Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama was named the NBA Rookie of the Year, becoming the sixth player in history to win the award unanimously.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama on Monday was named the 2023-24 NBA Rookie of the Year, becoming the sixth player in history to win the award unanimously.
Wembanyama became the first player to win the award unanimously since Karl-Anthony Towns in 2016. He received all 99 first-place votes from a global panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. He is the third player from the Spurs to win, joining David Robinson (1990) and Tim Duncan (1998).
“My goal was always to help my team as best as I could and get better as the year went on,” Wembanyama told Ernie Johnson on “NBA on TNT” on Monday. “I knew that in order to do this, I had to be individually good and dominant on the court. It was a huge thing for me and a big thing to get. It has always been really important, and I’m glad it’s finally official.”
Victor Wembanyama received all 99 first-place votes from a media panel, making him the first unanimous NBA Rookie of the Year since Karl-Anthony Towns in the 2015-16 season. pic.twitter.com/cWcjdXRrUD
Wembanyama averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 3.6 blocks and 1.2 steals in 71 games. He led the league in blocked shots and registered the most 30-point games (11) by a rookie since Trae Young in the 2018-19 season.
The 7-footer is the first player in history to record at least 1,500 points, 700 rebounds, 250 assists, 250 blocks and 100 3-pointers in a season. He is the second rookie to lead the league in blocks (Manute Bol, 1986) and the 10th player to average 20 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks.
Wembanyama, who is a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year, finished 22nd in steals. He also ranked second in defensive box plus-minus (plus-3.3), fifth in defensive win shares (4.4) and eighth in rebounds. He also had the most games with at least five blocks (24).
He explained to Kenny Smith how he improved throughout the year.
The simple stats, but also the advanced stats — everything pretty much got better. On my side, what I made big efforts on, is the playmaking, the shot selection. After the minutes restrictions I’ve had, I had to get back in good shape to play more than 30-35 minutes. The cardio, I think I’ve made huge improvements on. I’ve never gotten so much better in such a few months, so I’m really glad.
He achieved numerous other accomplishments, including becoming the youngest player in history to register a 5×5 game and recording a triple-double with blocks. He also became the first rookie since Shaquille O’Neal in 1993 to record 40 points and 20 rebounds in a game.
Tabbed an “alien” by LeBron James because of his unique size and skill set, Wembanyama entered the season with tremendous expectations. He exceeded them in his first year with the Spurs and established himself as a franchise cornerstone for years to come.
He believes there is still much to improve on entering the offseason.
“There is plenty of stuff I plan on working on,” Wembanyama told O’Neal. “Physically, of course, the work is never going to be done. I’ve had my plan for months ready for all of my body. We’re going to keep discovering new ways to get better and work on my body. For basketball, there is a lot I want to work on and (head coach Gregg Popovich) Pop wants me to work on, so I’m excited.”
Former Alabama forward Brandon Miller brought jaws to the floor after making a posterizing dunk in the first half of the Hornets-Hawks game.
Alabama Crimson Tide fans are well aware of what former Tide forward Brandon Miller is able to do on the hardwood. On Wednesday night, he put his skillset to display. During the first half of the Charlotte Hornets-Atlanta Hawks game, the star rookie sent fans into a frenzy on a posterizing dunk over Hawks forward Bruno Fernando.
Miller finished the night with 27 points, three rebounds, and two assists. He also shot 9/17 from the floor and 5/11 from beyond the arc. His production helped lead the Hornets to a 115-114 victory atop the Hawks.
Unfortunately for Miller, he has not had much of a supporting cast this season. The Hornets have struggled to create a consistent rotation and have had to deal with multiple injuries this season. Needless to say, Miller has been more than dependable for the Hornets.
Miller will look to close out the season on a strong note heading into the offseason with the Hornets. Two games are remaining on the Hornets’ schedule. Those two games will come on the road against the Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Panthers QB Bryce Young got a nice reception while attending his first Hornets game this evening.
The Queen City was buzzing for their quarterback this evening.
On Sunday, the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets played host to the Oklahoma City Thunder from the Spectrum Center. In attendance for the matchup was Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, who got quite a reception when he was introduced to the crowd . . .
Bryce Young in the building for the Hornets game tonight against the OKC Thunder! 🏀🏈
As it turns out, this was Young’s very first time at a Hornets game. Bally Sports reporter Ashley ShahAhmadi had the details on his visit as well as his relationship with fellow University of Alabama standout and Hornets forward Brandon Miller:
— Bally Sports: Hornets (@HornetsOnBally) April 7, 2024
Miller was selected with the second overall pick of the 2023 NBA draft last June, less than two months after Young was selected with the first overall pick of the 2023 NFL draft. And like Young, Miller also entered the pro stage as an All-American, an SEC Player of the Year and a first-team All-SEC member.
Unfortunately, Young’s first game didn’t end up with a win—as the Thunder held off the Hornets, 121-118.
