No. 2 pick impressive in first summer league game

Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller. Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

No. 2 pick finishes with nice stat line in first NBA Summer League game

By Gerrit Ritt | Last updated 7/3/23

When Brandon Miller was selected second overall in the NBA Draft by Charlotte, even die-hard Hornets fans were disappointed. Scoot Henderson was the trendy option at the No. 2 spot, and they weren't willing to hear the so-called experts telling them that Miller was the better fit.

Fans got to see Miller in action for the first time Monday night as the Hornets faced off with the Spurs, minus Victor Wembanyama, and they certainly saw moments of brilliance from the former Alabama star.

With the top pick Wembanyama announcing he'd sit out these three games in Sacramento and wait until Vegas Summer League play to make his Spurs debut, last year's SEC Player of the Year started slowly, which helped put Charlotte in a huge hole they never got out of.

However, Miller warmed up in the second half and ended with a very respectable 18 points, five rebounds, three assists, a block and a steal, including this incredibly difficult reverse layup on the game's final play.

Brandon Miller IMPOSSIBLE bucket

Miller finishes with 18 PTS, 5 REB, and 3 AST in the California Classic. pic.twitter.com/kymbuGPi3f
— NBA (@NBA) July 4, 2023

His first half was definitely something he'd like to forget, as he went into halftime with just five points, three boards and a not-so-positive six fouls.

Thankfully, they give each player 10 fouls in Summer League play, or else Miller would've been long gone before ever getting the chance to redeem himself in the third and fourth quarters.

The confidence clearly kicked in after the break, as did his shooting touch, with Miller going 5-for-11 from the field and 3-for-7 from three-point range. At 6-foot-9, it's his range from distance that was a key reason he was selected in front of the 6-foot-3 Henderson, who has other-worldly athletic ability, but hasn't yet developed an NBA-ready jumper.

Fellow Hornets draft picks Nick Smith Jr. and Amari Bailey also saw action, with Smith going for 12 points, three rebounds and three assists, while Bailey scored just six points, but had a pair of steals, one of which led to this highlight jam in the second half.

Steal ➡️ slam for Amari Bailey pic.twitter.com/XwvsSrYxXA
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) July 4, 2023

Charlotte and San Antonio will both hit the court again on Wednesday in Summer League action, with the Hornets facing off against the Warriors and the Spurs set to play the Lakers.

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