Watch: Hornets mascot reacts to team's controversial draft pick

Charlotte Hornets mascot Hugo apparently is not a fan of the team's draft pick. Brian Westerholt-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Hornets mascot reacts honestly to team's controversial draft pick

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 6/23/23

The Charlotte Hornets selected Brandon Miller with the second overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. While the selection garnered a smattering of cheers and boos, the Hornets mascot, Hugo, couldn't hide his reaction.

Seconds after hearing Miller's name called, Hugo dropped his giant head nearly to the ground in what came across as disappointment, even in mascot body language.

Here's our raw video of fans at Spectrum Center reacting to the #Hornets selecting Brandon Miller 2nd overall. Hugo, you good? @wcnc pic.twitter.com/cWiQGSPXfE
— Nick Carboni (@NickCarboniWCNC) June 23, 2023

Ahead of the draft on Thursday, rumors swirled that Scoot Henderson had moved up the Hornets' board. However, even amid some recent legal issues, the Hornets still selected Miller.

Miller found himself in the headlines for the wrong reasons in January. Questioned in connection with the killing of Jamea Haris by former Alabama teammate Darius Miles, Miller faced no charges despite allegedly providing the murder weapon.

Speaking with reporters earlier in June, Miller said he couldn't comment on the situation for legal purposes. However, he did tell Brenna Greene of KOIN News that his message to fans with concerns was that he was "here to win ball games." On Thursday night, Hornets general manager Mitch Kupchak said they considered two players at No. 2 but felt Miller was the best player available after "a lot of background work, a lot of due diligence."

Miller led the SEC in scoring (18.8) last season, and if he can come to Charlotte, stay out of trouble and help fix a struggling offense that finished with the fourth-lowest points-per-game average (111.0) in the NBA, he'll turn the doubts into cheers quickly.

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