Brandon Miller calls Paul George the GOAT over Michael Jordan, LeBron James

Former Alabama star Brandon Miller called Paul George the GOAT of basketball over legends like Michael Jordan and LeBron James.

No, that’s not a joke. Ahead of the 2023 NBA Draft, where Miller is expected to be a high lottery pick, he was asked about the conversation between Jordan and James.

The former Alabama product had quite the answer.

“No, because I actually don’t think LeBron is the GOAT of basketball,” Miller said. “My GOAT of basketball is Paul George. I grew up watching him. So, it was never just LeBron.”

It’s no disrespect to George, but it’s an intriguing choice from Miller. Whether that type of take affects his draft stock remains to be seen.

All kidding aside, Miller is the projected No. 2 pick in the draft, based on recent reports about the Charlotte Hornets focusing on the former Crimson Tide star.

Miller talked with Jordan, since the Hornets are interested.

“That was my first time seeing him in person,” Miller said. “It’s definitely exciting. He’s Michael Jordan. Guy can jump from the free throw line, we wear his shoes all the time. It was definitely exciting meeting him.”

In 37 games last season, Miller 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.

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.