Brandon Miller feels like No. 1 pick, respects Victor Wembanyama hype

Former Alabama Crimson Tide forward Brandon Miller was arguably the best college basketball player in the country last season. But despite that, he is not viewed as the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming 2023 NBA Draft. That anointment has been given to seven-foot-five French phenom Victor Wembanyama.

Miller disagrees with the overall consensus belief of Wembanyama being the top pick in the upcoming draft. His money is on himself.

However, although he doesn’t like the projections of who will be the top pick, he does respect the hype that the French player is getting right now.

“For me, I feel like I’m No. 1. But you know, you can’t beat 7-5, 8-foot wingspan,” said Miller in a recent interview with Shams Charania. “So, I mean, the guy’s an animal. I respect him. Right now, I’m just taking it day by day with my family, just slow. I feel like; when we get to that night, it’s probably gonna be really exciting and emotional. A lot of hugs. A lot of handshakes. I think that’s all we can ask for now.”

Last season, Miller played 37 games and finished with 18.8 points per game, 8.2 rebounds per game, 2.1 assists per game, shot 43% from the floor and 38.4% from three-point range.

An NBA franchise would go right drafting either player. Both possess great skill on the court and would be a massive acquisition for whatever team drafted either of them. But Wemanyama has freakish measurements along with talent, causing several pro teams to salivate at the chance to select him.

Miller has every right to believe he is the best player in the upcoming 2023 NBA draft, and he very well could be by the time it is all said and done. Still, the hooper within him understands why everybody is making such a huge commotion about Wembanyama.

Brandon Miller opens up about lessons learned, mental health following investigation

Darius Miles, a teammate of Miller’s at Alabama, has been charged along with another person for a Tuscaloosa shooting during the season. Miller is listed as a witness in the case after arriving to the scene with the weapon in his car moments before the incident.

Miles is charged with capital murder and was denied bond on Wednesday by a judge for the second time.

Miller has not faced any criminal charges as a result of the shooting investigation, continuing to play for Alabama through the end of the season before entering the 2023 NBA Draft. 

“It’s definitely a learning lesson,” Miller said.” You can clearly see that your career can change in a heartbeat. And one thing I’ve learned is you always gotta be aware of your surroundings and where you’re at, at all times.”

Miller also shared that he started regularly meeting with a counselor amid the furor surrounding him. The teen was suddenly at the center of the biggest story in college sports with every single action under a microscope, for better or worse.