Kendra AndrewsESPNJ4. Jul 2023 00:43 ET2 minutes read
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Brandon Miller made his summer league debut for the Charlotte Hornets Monday night, finishing the California Classic with 18 points in a 98-77 loss to the San Antonio Spurs.
The number 2 pick showed some nervousness in the first three quarters, conceding six turnovers and ending the evening with seven fouls. Most of his fouls came from struggling to stay in front of the offensive players.
“I’m a little frustrated because I don’t like to lose, but I had fun out there,” Miller said. “It was fun to see a different environment from the college experience. I think I was emotionally relaxed. I just let the game come to me, made the right moves and I’m just there for my teammates.”
He continued, “We’ve gotten rid of the jitters, so we’re going to be good.”
As Miller’s nervousness settled, he found the rhythm that helped him finish second overall in last month’s NBA draft.
He scored 12 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter and shot 5 of 11 for the game, plus 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 1 block in 34 minutes.
“That’s hard to say — to give him a grade,” said Hornets Summer League coach Marlon Garnett. “I’ll come back to that.”
Garnett said Miller’s pace can be positive, but he needs to learn to control it to limit his turnovers. Garnett also wants Miller to be more aggressive, and said he wants to help him do that by not letting him handle the ball as often, instead slipping out of the screens and attacking.
Miller and the Hornets will play their second and final California Classic game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday before heading to Las Vegas for the NBA 2K24 Summer League.