John Calipari shares what trait makes Alabama forward Brandon Miller difficult to guard

Alabama pounded Kentucky in a 78-52 victory over the weekend, and true freshman forward Brandon Miller was the best player on the floor. Miller scored a team-high 19 points on efficient 7-for-15 shooting while also adding seven rebounds.

The performance, and Miller’s play in general, drew praise from Wildcats head coach John Calipari.

“He’s good,” Calipari said after the game. “The biggest thing’s he’s consistent shooting the ball and you got to be aware of where he is. It spaces the court. It gives the guards more room to move. He’s good — good player.”

For the season, Miller is averaging 19.1 points and 8.5 rebounds. He has scored in single figures only one time in 15 games for Alabama and has three double-doubles on the year.

He’s doing it with efficient 3-point and free-throw shooting as well. Miller is at 43.5% from beyond the arc and 81.0% from the charity stripe.

In a late December NBA Mock Draft from ESPN, Miller was projected to go as the No. 7 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.

Alabama’s Nate Oats has high praise for Brandon Miller as well

Opposing coaches aren’t the only ones willing to dish out compliments to Brandon Miller. Alabama head coach Nate Oats has been very vocal about his star freshman.

Earlier this month, he gave plaudits once again.

“We’re going to get him better,” the Crimson Tide head coach said. “I still think there are things he needs to do better. Got to finish at the rim better, got to get better defensively. He’s got to rebound a little better on a consistent level. Tonight, he didn’t have any offensive rebounds, I think he can be a better force on that end.”

Miller was the No. 14 overall recruit in the 2022 cycle, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Oats has acknowledged he expects Miller to be a one-and-done players and is enjoying his opportunity to coach the future pro.

“It is nice to have the best player of the floor most nights when you go out there to coach,” Oats said. “It makes my job a little bit easier. I mean, you can create some offense. Make some tough shots when you’re struggling a little bit.”