Hornets GM: Brandon Miller was the favorite in Charlotte 'all along'

There wasn’t much mystery surrounding who the San Antonio Spurs would choose with the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. But after Victor Wembanyama came off the board Thursday night, who the Charlotte Hornets would select next remained up in the air between Alabama’s Brandon Miller and Scoot Henderson of G League Ignite. Charlotte ultimately chose Miller with the second selection, and general manager Mitch Kupchak explained why the freshman was the pick.

“Obviously, there were two players that were heavily considered at that position, and Brandon was the favorite all along,” Kupchak said. “But to do your due diligence, you bring them in the one time, and then you’re allowed to bring them in the second time, which everyone knows we did on Monday. It wasn’t the easiest of decisions, but Brandon was our favorite all along.

“(We had) a lot of spirited discussion in the last 3-4 days, which I welcome. I think it’s good for the basketball department to discuss pros and cons, pluses and minuses, argue a little bit. So obviously our opinion from the beginning did not change, but it was a process.”

Kupchak was asked in a follow-up why Miller was the Hornets’ favorite throughout the process.

“We think he’s the player that is the best player,” Kupchak said. “They’re both excellent players and they both will probably go on to have long NBA careers, but he’s the one that we feel would have the best NBA career as a Hornet. Quite frankly, I hope they both have great careers.”

College basketball’s Freshman of the Year, according to the SEC, USBWA and NABC, Miller averaged 18.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game in his lone season at Alabama.

Despite all of his success on the court, his presence at the murder of Jamea Harris shrouded Miller’s lone season in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Considered a cooperating witness and not a suspect in the mid-January incident, Miller did not drop in the draft after NBA teams conducted their own research into his involvement. Kupchak was asked if he was confident in Miller’s background.

“With every pick, especially with a pick this high and this valuable, we do a lot of background work, a lot of due diligence,” Kupchak said. “We contact a lot of people. In fact, Buzz (Peterson) and I went to Alabama for two days about two weeks ago. Without naming a full list of people, obviously, you’re gonna go visit with the coach and with people at the university and make sure you get a good feel.

“Over the course of the year, we do a lot of investigation intel, so to speak, whether it’s reading articles in the newspaper, you bump into people, you go to games, you watch body language on the court, you talk to people. So it’s a process, but with a pick this high, you’re gonna do a little bit extra due diligence than you normally would. And we’re comfortable. We’re comfortable with Brandon, on and off the court.”

Miller reacts to being drafted by Charlotte

Miller was the first Crimson Tide player to come off the board Thursday night and is now tied with Antonio McDyess (No. 2 in 1995) as Alabama’s highest-drafted player. The fourth lottery pick for UA in the last six drafts, when did Miller know he was being drafted by the Hornets?

“When I found out? Probably at least two seconds before they called my name,” Miller told reporters in Brooklyn on Thursday night. “It’s exciting, man. Just a dream come true. I’ve always dreamed of walking across the stage and shake their hand and take the pictures that we did, so it’s just all a dream come true. Just ready to get to Charlotte.”

In Charlotte, Miller will be teaming up with point guard LaMelo Ball, another lottery pick for the Hornets who is entering his fourth season in the league. Playing alongside Ball, who was voted Rookie of the Year in 2021 and made his first All-Star Game the following year, excites Miller.

“He made me feel like a little brother away from home,” Miller said of Ball. “I feel like our bond will get closer due to past time. I feel like we’re always gonna be together, if not, I’m probably somewhere around him. Just seeing him at my workout was kind of, not a dream, but it’s a dream come true to see all these top guys watch you work out.”

Miller, 20, shared what fans in Charlotte can expect from him in his new basketball home.

“I know they have great players there already,” Miller said. “I can say for me, I can bring just a winner. I’m willing to make all the winning plays, as far as on or off the court. So just, yeah, a winner.”

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