As the Charlotte Hornets approach the end of another challenging season, fans and analysts eagerly anticipate potential changes during the offseason. Amidst all the uncertainty, one remains steadfast: Brandon Miller. The second overall pick in the 2023 draft, Miller has consistently proven his worth and lived up to the high expectations placed on him since his time at Alabama, demonstrating his dedication to the Hornets. Despite facing severe backlash from an incident in college, Miller’s resilience shines through, making his journey all the more inspiring in college, Miller’s resilience shines through, making his journey all the more inspiring.
Looking ahead to the future, Miller’s individual growth have been impressive this season. Miller has demonstrated his significant offensive prowess with an average of 16.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and one steal per game in 59 games, including 53 starts. His shooting split of 43/37/81% highlights his potential as a knockdown shooter. As the team looks to rebuild and adjust to the departure of key players like Terry Rozier, Gordan Hayward, and P.J. Washington, Miller’s offensive aggression and adaptability have made him an increasingly important player. His offensive prowess have boosted the team’s performance and sparked hope and excitement among the fans, who see in him the potential to become the Hornets’ top player and lead them to victory in the coming seasons.
The Vibes Were Off Early For Miller.
On January 15, 2023, 23-year-old Jamea Harris senselessly lost her life to gun violence. The suspect, 21-year-old Darius Miles, A former University Of Alabama student and basketball player, was charged with the crime. The weapon used to commit this crime was supplied to Miles by teammate Brandon Miller. Miller wasn’t accused of any crime in association with the incident of that night, but Miller’s poor judgment brought about some questions.
Miller’s first 20 games saw up and down play that you would expect from a rookie. He played in 18 games (12 starts) and averaged 14.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists with 44/40/81% shooting. He scored 29 points against the New York Knicks on November 18, 2023, and had two other games where he scored at least 20 or more.
Growing Into The #1 Option.
Miller’s performance improved as the basketball season progressed. He started in 25 out of the Hornets’ next 29 games, averaging 17.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. However, his shooting percentages (43/38/83%) did slip a bit. He increased his shots attempted from 12.3 to 15.1 as the season progressed. From January 29 to February 5, Miller achieved an outstanding performance of 146 points over a five-game stretch, which was the second-highest score ever achieved by a rookie in any five-game span, second only to Alonzo Mourning.
In the recent sixteen-game stretch, Miller’s performance has been consistent. He’s averaging 18.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.3 steals with 43/33/79% shooting. Although his shooting percentages are slightly lower, his aggressiveness has remained high. He increased his shots attempted from 15.1 to 16.2 in this stretch. Also, his three attempts per game increased from four to seven.
Miller Breaking Rookie Records.
Brandon Miller is an exceptional player who has left his mark on Charlotte’s franchise history. He holds the record for the most three-pointers made by a rookie, surpassing D.J. Augustin’s record. Miller has also achieved the distinction of being the second rookie in NBA history to score 35 points on ten field goals, free throws, and five three-pointers, an incredible feat previously accomplished only by Grayson Allen. Notably, Miller is the first-ever Hornets rookie to score 30 or more points in consecutive games, a remarkable achievement by any standard.
In Conclusion…
Brandon Miller is a young basketball player with great aspirations. He looks up to Paul George and hopes to follow in his footsteps. Despite facing some challenges, he remains determined to become the best version of himself. The Hornets recognize his potential and value his contributions. They are confident that no matter what their future is, Brandon Miller will continue to grow and thrive as a player and a foundational piece for their success.
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