Former Tide star Miller frustrated at opening loss, despite scoring 18 points

Mark Inabinett Al.com

Brandon Miller felt his pro debut on Monday night was “a little frustrating.”

The second player picked in the NBA Draft on June 22, the former Alabama Crimson Tide standout and the Charlotte Hornets’ Summer League squad lost to the San Antonio Spurs 98-77 on the opening night of the California Classic.

“A little frustrating just because I don’t like to lose,” Miller said about his pro debut. “But I had fun out there, just seeing the different environment from the college experience. It was fun. Just really out there having fun with my team.”

Miller scored 18 points as he made 5-of-11 shots, including a 3-of-7 showing on 3-pointers, and 5-of-7 free throws. In 33 minutes and 40 seconds on the court, the former Alabama All-American also had five rebounds, three assists, one steal, one blocked shot, six turnovers and seven fouls. (Under California Classic rules, a player needs 10 fouls to be disqualified.)

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“I think you get 10 in Summer League,” Miller said of his foul total, “so I’m going to try and use all 10. If you get 10, you might as well use all 10.”

Miller had six fouls and only one basket at halftime. In the fourth quarter, Miller made all four of his shots, including three 3-point baskets.

Although most of the players on the Hornets’ California Classic roster won’t be with Charlotte when the regular season starts, 10 have professional experience, including seven who have played in the NBA.

“We kind of came in here, and it was quick talk — probably a minute — kind of talked it over,” Miller said of his halftime adjustments. “And I think the older guys kind of built my confidence up just to get that good feel for the game. The older guys being vets just boosted my confidence.”

The California Classic is a six-team, two-day session hosted by the Sacramento Kings as a warmup for the NBA 2K24 Summer League, which includes all 30 of the league’s teams and starts on Friday in Las Vegas.

The Hornets played the Golden State Warriors Wednesday and Charlotte’s Summer League coach, Marlon Garnett, hopes to get Miller “a little bit more aggressive” than in the opener.

The Hornets tip off their four scheduled games in Las Vegas at 8 p.m. Friday against the Spurs. Charlotte also has games against the Los Angeles Lakers at 3 p.m. Sunday, the Portland Trail Blazers at 7:30 p.m. July 11 and New Orleans Pelicans at 6:30 p.m. July 13 on its NBA 2K24 Summer League schedule.

The Spurs had the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft, and Victor Wembanyama is expected to make his pro debut on Friday against the Hornets. Portland had the No. 3 pick, taking Scoot Henderson after Charlotte chose Miller.

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