Brandon Miller Bio
Brandon Jordan Miller (born November 22, 2002) is an American professional basketball player for the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Alabama Crimson Tide before becoming the second overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft. Standing 6 feet 7 inches tall, the forward has quickly established himself as a versatile scorer and playmaker at the professional level.
Miller earned a reputation as one of the top high school recruits in his class and translated that promise into a decorated freshman season at the University of Alabama. His combination of size, scoring touch, and basketball IQ has positioned him as a central piece of the Hornets’ rebuilding effort.
Early Life and Background
Brandon Jordan Miller was born on November 22, 2002, in Nashville, Tennessee, and grew up in the nearby community of Antioch. He attended Cane Ridge High School, where he quickly emerged as one of the most talented basketball players in the state of Tennessee. His physical development and skill set set him apart from his peers throughout his high school years.
During his junior season at Cane Ridge High School, Miller averaged 23.3 points, eight rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.6 blocks, and 2.3 steals per game, earning the Tennessee Gatorade Player of the Year award. He repeated as Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior and was named Tennessee Mr. Basketball after posting averages of 24.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 2.3 steals per game.
Miller’s basketball roots run deep in his family. His father, Darrell Miller, played college football as a tight end at the University of Alabama under head coach Gene Stallings in the early 1990s. His older brother, Darrell Jr., played college basketball at Fisk University and later played professionally overseas, while his older sister, Britany, played at Cumberland University.
Path to Basketball
Miller was a consensus five-star recruit and one of the top players in the 2022 high school class, according to major recruiting services. His first scholarship offer came from Tennessee State, whose program is coached by his cousin, Brian Collins. He also considered offers from Kansas and Tennessee State, and weighed paths to the Australian NBL and the NBA G League Ignite.
On November 1, 2021, Miller committed to playing college basketball at the University of Alabama, choosing the Crimson Tide over his other options. His decision to play in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) provided him with a high-profile stage to showcase his abilities against elite competition.
Miller participated in both the Jordan Brand Classic and the McDonald’s All-American Game, two of the most prestigious showcases for the nation’s top high school players. Those appearances cemented his status as a future lottery pick heading into his freshman season.
Brandon Miller Career
Early Career at Alabama (2022–2023)
Miller arrived at the University of Alabama as one of the most anticipated freshman players in program history. He was named to both the Naismith College Player of the Year and the Julius Erving Award watch lists entering his freshman season, signaling the high expectations placed on his shoulders.
On November 21, 2022, Miller earned his first Southeastern Conference (SEC) Freshman of the Week honor, marking the beginning of a dominant run. He scored 36 points and added six rebounds against Gonzaga on December 17, 2022, and later posted an Alabama freshman-record 41 points on February 22, 2023, in a 78–76 overtime win against South Carolina.
Alabama Crimson Tide Breakthrough (2022–2023)
Miller was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2023 SEC men’s basketball tournament after averaging 20.3 points and 11 rebounds across three games. He finished the season averaging an SEC-high 18.8 points per game, along with 8.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists, numbers that placed him among the top freshmen in the country.
At the end of the regular season, Miller was named the SEC Player of the Year, the SEC Rookie of the Year, and a first-team All-Conference selection. He was a consensus second-team All-American, earning first-team honors from the Associated Press and Sporting News, and second-team recognition from the NABC and USBWA. He was also named the USBWA National Freshman of the Year, the NABC Freshman of the Year, and the Wayman Tisdale Award winner.
Miller struggled in the NCAA tournament, shooting just 19 percent from the field across Alabama’s three games, the worst percentage by any player with at least 35 shot attempts in the tournament since 1985. Alabama fell in the third round to San Diego State, with Miller going 3-of-19 from the floor. After the season, he announced that he would forgo the remainder of his collegiate eligibility and enter the 2023 NBA draft.
Charlotte Hornets Era (2023–Present)
The Charlotte Hornets selected Miller with the second overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft. On October 25, 2023, he made his NBA regular-season debut, scoring 13 points in a 116–110 win over the Atlanta Hawks. On November 18, 2023, he scored a then career-high 29 points in a 122–108 loss to the New York Knicks, establishing himself as a reliable scoring threat from his first weeks in the league.
Miller tied his career high with 29 points on January 29, 2024, in a 113–92 loss to the New York Knicks, before setting a new career high of 35 points on February 4 in a 115–99 loss to the Indiana Pacers. He later upgraded that mark to 38 points on November 21, 2024, in a 123–121 overtime win against the Detroit Pistons, demonstrating his continued growth as a perimeter scorer.
During the 2024–25 NBA season, Miller started 27 games for Charlotte and averaged 21.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.6 assists. On January 23, 2025, he was ruled out for the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn scapholunate ligament in his right wrist, a setback that interrupted an otherwise strong individual campaign. His early play earned him a selection to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2024.
Notable Events and Milestones
Miller’s tenure at Alabama was marked by both individual brilliance and off-court headlines. He recorded the highest single-game scoring total by a freshman in program history with 41 points against South Carolina, and he earned SEC tournament Most Valuable Player honors in just his first collegiate season. His selection as the second overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft also represented one of the highest draft placements for an Alabama men’s basketball player in program history.
Brandon Miller Career Wins
Brandon Miller’s competitive resume features consistent scoring and individual recognition at every level. At Cane Ridge High School, he repeated as Tennessee Gatorade Player of the Year and earned Tennessee Mr. Basketball honors, leading his team with double-digit scoring averages. At the University of Alabama, he won SEC Player of the Year, SEC Rookie of the Year, SEC tournament MVP, and multiple national Freshman of the Year awards. In the NBA, he earned NBA All-Rookie First Team honors during the 2023–24 season.
Alabama Crimson Tide Highlights
Miller’s freshman year at Alabama featured a series of signature performances, including 36 points against Gonzaga and a 41-point effort against South Carolina that set a new Alabama freshman scoring record. He earned SEC Player of the Year and SEC Rookie of the Year honors, and he was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2023 SEC men’s basketball tournament after averaging 20.3 points and 11 rebounds across three games.
Other Wins and Performances
Miller’s high school accolades included selections to both the Jordan Brand Classic and the McDonald’s All-American Game, two of the most prestigious all-star events for elite high school prospects. He was also named the Tennessee Gatorade Player of the Year in both his junior and senior seasons, capping his prep career with the Tennessee Mr. Basketball award.
Brandon Miller Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Branford Miller, born Brandon Jordan Miller, comes from a family with deep roots in collegiate athletics. His father, Darrell Miller, played college football as a tight end at the University of Alabama under head coach Gene Stallings in the early 1990s. His older brother, Darrell Jr., played college basketball at Fisk University and later played professionally overseas. His older sister, Britany, played at Cumberland University, and his cousin, Brian Collins, coaches the basketball program at Tennessee State.
Personal Life
Miller has shared that he models his game after Paul George, whom he has called the greatest of all time. He appeared on an episode of Paul George’s podcast to discuss his career influences and his development as a two-way wing. Beyond his basketball commitments, Miller remains connected to his Nashville, Tennessee roots and his extended family in the sports world.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024–25 NBA season represented a step forward for Miller with the Charlotte Hornets, as he started 27 games and averaged 21.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.6 assists. His scoring efficiency and playmaking responsibilities expanded compared to his rookie year, signaling a larger role within the team’s offense. He set a new career high of 38 points in an overtime win over the Detroit Pistons on November 21, 2024, showcasing his ability to carry a team offensively.
On January 23, 2025, Miller was ruled out for the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn scapholunate ligament in his right wrist. The injury cut short what had been his most productive professional season to date and required an extended recovery period. The Hornets’ medical staff and Miller’s representatives indicated a focus on full rehabilitation.
Heading into the next phase of his career, Miller’s outlook remains promising given his scoring trajectory and the trust placed in him by the Charlotte Hornets organization. A healthy return from wrist surgery and continued development as a primary scoring option will be central storylines for the 2025–26 NBA season. The team is expected to lean on his offensive versatility as it continues to build around its young core.