Brandon Miller was drafted #2 by the Charlotte Hornets in the NBA draft in New York.
The 20-year-old former Alabama star is one of the most controversial attendees at this year’s event after he was involved in a shooting earlier in the year that resulted in the death of 23-year-old Jamea Harris.
Tuscaloosa police testified that Miller gave his teammate Darius Miles a pistol that was eventually used by another man, Michael Lynn Davis, to kill the woman.
While Miles and Davis are in prison awaiting a murder trial, Miller was not arrested in the case. His attorney says he never handled the gun and had no idea the shooting would happen. Miller’s trainer Nate Oats said it was “wrong place, wrong time”.
And after picking him on Thursday night, the Hornets appear to be okay with it — even if their fans aren’t.
Brandon Miller was drafted by NBA team Charlotte Hornets on Thursday night in New York
The 20-year-old former Alabama star was picked as the No. 2 pick by Michael Jordan’s team
Miller said he had no idea he would be selected runner-up until it was announced
The general draft consensus was that the Hornets would pick either Henderson or Miller, but they landed last Thursday night after holding a series of meetings earlier in the day.
Both players had been training in front of would-be owner Michael Jordan earlier in the week, and the team was at odds over who to draft ahead of the draft in Brooklyn, but ultimately settled on Miller.
Miller said he had no idea he would be selected runner-up until it was announced, claiming it was a dream come true.
“When I found out, probably at least two seconds before they started swearing at me, it was exciting,” he said.
“It’s a dream come true.” I’ve always dreamed of walking across the stage and shaking their hands and taking the pictures that we took. It’s all just a dream come true. Just getting ready to come to Charlotte.’
Miller will be on a team with LaMelo Ball while Charlotte is looking to return to the playoffs next season.
“Melo is my type,” Miller said of his new teammate. “I think with Melo, as good as he is as a point guard, I’ll just take the spot.” [on the court]. And I know that away from home he will be my big brother.”
On the eve of the draft, Miller said he did not expect further police action after initially saying the incident was “the only thing I can’t talk about.”
The general consensus in the draft was that the Hornets would pick either Scoot Henderson or Miller
Miller gives his friends and family a hug after it was revealed Charlotte chose him
But when asked about his future in basketball, Miller said, “NBA teams kind of took a cue from me and kind of figured out that I’m a great guy, a great character.”
“I don’t think they’re really worried about the character now. I think it’s just basketball now.”
Miller, a 6-foot-9 forward, disappointed in the NCAA tournament, scoring just nine points as top-seeded Alabama lost to San Diego State in the Sweet 16, but was otherwise one of the top players in the United States last season.
Not only was he averaging an impressive 18.8 points per game with 8.2 rebounds per night and an 85.9 percent shot rate from the free throw line, but Miller was also scoring 38.4 percent of his 3-point attempts, which is a good one Sign of his chances is next level.
Miller was recently invited to a practice by the Charlotte Hornets, which was also attended by then-owner Michael Jordan.
Miller insisted the presence of the NBA and Chicago Bulls stars didn’t affect him.
A 6-foot-9 forward from Alabama, Miller is one of the hottest basketball youngsters in America
Jamea Harris (left), a 23-year-old mother, was shot and killed on January 14 near the University of Alabama campus. Crimson Tide forward Darius Miles (right) is charged with her murder
“No, actually I wasn’t [nervous]”Miller said on Wednesday. “I understand why [you would think so]because he’s Michael Jordan, but honestly I kind of saw him in the room as a normal person just watching me train.
“But just knowing that he’s Michael Jordan, that he’s not a normal person, actually kind of motivated me.”
“He’s a great guy. It makes you feel at home so it doesn’t stress you out.
“Meeting him and talking nonsense is probably the coolest thing for me.” I have an idea about him – he took an airborne free throw.