Report: Brandon Miller is 'the focus' for Charlotte Hornets at No. 2 overall

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Alabama‘s Brandon Miller is “the focus” of the Charlotte Hornets at No. 2 overall ahead of Thursday’s NBA Draft. With the top pick certainly being Victor Wembanyama, Miller was battling Scoot Henderson to be the next player taken off the board.

“Alabama’s Brandon Miller further solidified his standing as Charlotte’s choice at No. 2 with a workout and meetings he had in Charlotte,” Wojnarowski said. “This is the first time Michael Jordan had the chance to watch Miller in person to sit down and meet with him.

“Both Miller and Scoot Henderson came back to Charlotte for second workouts, second meetings. I’m told Miller was better the second time around in that environment than he had been the first time.”

The Hornets are preparing to select Brandon Miller at No. 2 overall, per @wojespn:

– Miller impressed Michael Jordan and Co. during his second private workout yesterday.

– Charlotte prefers Miller’s fit alongside LaMelo Ball over Scoot Henderson. pic.twitter.com/P3dsnpCl2P

— Evan Sidery (@esidery) June 21, 2023

Wojnarowski also points out Miller’s position fits better with where the franchise is at the moment. LaMelo Ball is considered the point guard of the future of Charlotte, the same position Henderson plays. Miller can play nearly anywhere on the court for the Hornets and should gel together well with Ball.

Miller played high school basketball at Antioch (TN) Cane Ridge, where he was a five-star prospect. He was the No. 14 overall recruit in the 2022 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Rankings, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

More on the 2023 NBA Draft

The 2023 NBA Draft is set to take place on Thursday, June 22, 2023, in Brooklyn at Barclays Center. Round 1 of the draft will be announced by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, while Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum is expected to handle the second round of picks.

To be eligible for the NBA Draft, players must be at least 19 years of age during the calendar year that the draft is held and at least one NBA season from their high school graduation date, or the date that would have been if they are not graduated. It is not required that players spend that one-year playing college basketball, though. Players can play in either college, abroad, or the G League Ignite if they choose to.

While this is a significant change from what the rules once were, players are eligible to enter their names into the NBA Draft pool and explore their options by hiring an agent to go through the process, while still keeping their college eligibility. The deadline to make that move is on April 23 beginning at 11:59 p.m. ET. Players have until June 12 at 5 p.m. ET to withdraw their name from the pool and return to college.