CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Ahead of the 2023 NBA Draft, the great debate was over who should be the second overall pick: Brandon Miller or Scoot Henderson.
There's little debate now, especially not in Charlotte. The Hornets took Miller with the second pick and he rewarded them with an All-Rookie season and the promise of a great future.
Miller proved a lot of people wrong, but he says he doesn't think about that.
"I just came in with the mindset of making my team better and being a winning player," Miller told WCNC Charlotte Sports Director Nick Carboni.
Miller only seemed to get better as the season went along, finishing the season posting 17.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.
"I tell people all the time I don't believe in a rookie wall," he said. "It's a mindset. It's a long season."
This year, Hornets fans hope to see more of Miller on the floor with LaMelo Ball. The All-Star point guard was out most of Miller's rookie season. What can be expected if the pair are together for a full season?
"Wins," Miller said. "Wins. My biggest exclamation after that, wins. He's elite."
NBA pundits believe Miller will be elite soon enough, certainly an All-Star or even All-NBA player.
"I don't really read anything like that," he said. "I just focus on what I can do today."
Miller left Wednesday's night's season-opening win at Houston with a glute injury and is ruled out Friday at Atlanta.
Contact Nick Carboni at ncarboni@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.