Brandon Miller 'frustrated' by first NBA summer league game

No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft Brandon Miller made his NBA summer league debut Monday night for the Charlotte Hornets as they took on the San Antonio Spurs at the California Classic. The Hornets not only fell 98-77 to the Spurs, but Miller was somewhat disappointed in his performance following a slow start to the game.

“I’m a little frustrated because I don’t like to lose, but I had fun out there,” Miller said. “Seeing a different environment from the college experience was fun. I think I was relaxed as far as emotions. Just let the game come to me, make all the right plays and just be there for my teammates. We got the jitters out, so we’re going to be good.”

Miller ended the game leading the Hornets in scoring, finishing the night with 18 points on 5-11 shooting, but his jitters were apparent through the first three-quarters of the game. He turned the ball over six times and committed seven fouls, struggling to stay in front of defenders. But when the fourth quarter began he settled into his game.

12 of his 18 points were scored in the final quarter of the game, as he added five rebounds, three assists, a steal, and a block to his stat line for the evening.

Former SEC foe and now teammate of Miller’s Nick Smith trailed right behind him in the points column in the game with 12 points of his own, but former St. John’s guard Julian Champagnie stole the show with 30 points for San Antonio.

Miller will get a shot to improve upon his performance on Wednesday, as the Hornets take on the Golden State Warriors in their second summer league matchup at 6 p.m. ET in a game airing on ESPN2.

Michael Jordan calls Brandon Miller after NBA Draft selection

In the days leading up to the 2023 NBA Draft, former Alabama star Brandon Miller worked out for the Charlotte Hornets and met with current owner Michael Jordan. It was all part of the decision-making process as the franchise decided between Miller and Scoot Henderson toward the top of the board.

Ultimately, Charlotte chose Miller — and he got a call from “His Airness,” himself.

The Hornets social media team had the cameras rolling when Jordan made the call to talk to Miller after taking him No. 2 overall. The legendary Chicago Bulls star is on his way out as majority owner of the franchise, selling his stake for $3 billion ahead of the draft.

But before he moves on, he wanted to make sure Charlotte’s newest star got a warm welcome. Of course, he had an important question to ask first.

“Can you palm a ball yet?” Jordan asked with a chuckle.

Michael Jordan 🤜🤛 @brandmillerr pic.twitter.com/IdyCMJOka3

— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) June 23, 2023

“Welcome, man. I’m looking forward to seeing you play,” Jordan added. “I know you’ve been talking to [LaMelo Ball] already, haven’t you? … You know what happens now, right? You’ve got to get to work, dude. Alright, man, I’m very proud. Very happy to have you.”

On3’s Nick Schultz contributed to this report