Brandon Miller recalls first time taking a charge at Alabama

When Brandon Miller was a high school player, he was not taking too many charges. Ranked a five-star prospect, there was no reason to take an unnecessary hit and potentially get hurt. Too much was on the line with his college recruitment and eventual NBA Draft stock.

But when you sign for Alabama and play for Nate Oats, things change. Oats builds his entire culture around a blue-collar mentality, with every single player doing dirty work throughout the course of a game. Star players, regular starters, and even bench pieces have the opportunity to win the Hard Hat Award, given out to someone who earns the most points.

Taking charges is a huge part of the equation.

Miller recalled the first time he took a charge while at Alabama, coming during a practice. Had the official not made the call, Miller would have had a terrible experience. Thankfully, the play wound up going the other way and the former McDonald’s All-American was off and running in his charge-taking career.

“It was bad,” Miller said when talking to Stadium’s Sham Charania. “I got dunked on. But it was a charge… It happens, I got the call. It was in practice. I’m not going to tell you who dunked on me though.”

Practice is not the same as a game, though. Miller said his first in-game charge came on Jan. 3 during SEC play against Ole Miss. Still a long time considering the season began back in November. Either way, Miller remembered the moment and was proud of his effort.

“I think it was Ole Miss game,” Miller said. “I think it was coming down on a break. Kind of did a crossover, slid in front of it, took a charge.”

Miller wound up winning the Hard Hat Award nine times during his lone season in Tuscaloosa, finishing second on the team. Only fellow NBA Draft pick Noah Clowney outdueled Miller, having 11 of his own before heading off to play for the Brooklyn Nets.

Charlotte will be hoping a similar effort is brought onto the court from Miller as it was while wearing an Alabama jersey. They decided to select him over Scoot Henderson, something not everybody was too sure about.

A big rookie season is ahead of Miller with the Hornets. Stepping in and taking a few charges would go a long way in showing he is completely bought in.