Freshman Brandon Miller is the most physically gifted player on the Alabama basketball team, and he may be turning his talent into national recognition. Entering college, he was touted for his versatility. So far, the lanky, 6’9″ forward has surpassed the hype and shown he can do a little bit of everything. Despite having a mostly perimeter-oriented game, he’s currently averaging nearly a double-double with team-bests of 20.3 points and 9.3 rebounds per game.
Brandon Miller doesn’t just take shots. He scores his 20+ points per game with incredible efficiency, shooting 50 percent from the field and nearly 52 percent from the three-point line. Confident and methodical with the ball in his hands, Miller can score on all three levels.
He’s also adept at getting to the free throw line, where he converts his five attempts per game with an 80 percent clip. With no obvious weaknesses on offense, Miller is a nightmare for opposing coaches and can find ways to exploit almost any defender.
Brandon Miller is not only one of the top scorers in the country, but also averages 2.3 assists per game. That’s a respectable number for a frontcourt player, but it doesn’t even do justice to Miller’s passing ability. The freshman operates with a point-forward-like basketball IQ and feel for the game, dropping pennies on transitions or from high pick-and-roll sets that will no doubt have NBA scouts drooling.
Brandon Miller is likely stereotyped as a finesse player due to his thin physique and high level of skill, but he’s a lot more physical than one would assume. He has recorded at least eight rebounds and a block in every game so far and is scoring his share of points in the suit.
There were many indications that Miller would become a star. The 5-star was Alabama’s top player throughout preseason, excelling in scrimmages and exhibitions. Prior to the season, he was watchlisted for both the Naismith Trophy (national player of the year) and the Julius Erving Award (best small forward in college basketball).
So far, he’s been better than announced for Alabama Basketball. He’s storming the NBA mock draft boards and was recently named SEC Freshman of the Week and a member of the Wooden Award watchlist.
If he can continue on the meteoric path he’s currently on, Brandon Miller could be an All-American and a top-10 pick in the 2023 NBA draft. Alongside All-SEC point guard Jahvon Quinerly (who is slowly returning from injury) and plenty of surrounding talent, Miller has the potential to lead Alabama basketball to SEC success and a deep postseason run.