Alabama forward Brandon Miller entering the 2023 NBA Draft
Alabama freshman forward Brandon Miller is declaring for the 2023 NBA Draft. While that decision had been expected for some time now, the news officially came down on Thursday with a tweet from ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski.
“University of Alabama forward Brandon Miller – the No. 3 prospect in latest Draft Express mock draft – is entering the 2023 NBA Draft, he told ESPN on Thursday,” Wojnarowski’s tweet read. “Miller has made a strong case to teams to go second overall behind generational No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama in June.”
In his lone season in Tuscaloosa, Miller led Alabama in minutes (32.7), points (18.8) and rebounds (8.2) while also averaging 2.1 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.9 blocks. He only averaged 9.3 points in his three NCAA Tournament appearances, but that was mostly due to a scoreless performance in the first round because of a groin injury.
Don’t expect those struggles while less than 100% to affect his draft stock, however.
“He had injuries, dealing with a groin injury, so I don’t think that’s a big deal at all,” Jay Bilas of ESPN recently said on the Dan Patrick Show. “He established a body of work where everybody knows that he’s the real deal. So, I’m not sure that’s a big issue. Even if [an NBA team] at No. 3 said, ‘you know, well, he didn’t play well in the tournament,’ and they said, ‘we’re going to take somebody else,’ he would go at No. 4.”
As things stand, the Houston Rockets have the No. 2 overall pick behind the Detroit Pistons. Then, it’s the San Antonio Spurs (No. 3), Charlotte Hornets (No. 4) and Orlando Magic (No. 5). More than likely, Miller will be taking his talents to Texas, whether that be with the Rockets or Spurs.
Oddly enough, Houston selected Auburn’s one-and-done freshman forward Jabari Smith at No. 3 overall in the 2022 NBA Draft. Miller could potentially team up with Smith and guard Jalen Green (No. 2 pick in 2021) to give the Rockets an excellent young core of talent. The Spurs aren’t as set up for future success.
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