2023 NBA Draft Live Tracker: Grading every pick made

2023 NBA Draft grade: No. 2 pick Brandon Miller, Charlotte Hornets

Grade: C

The Hornets ultimately decided to select Alabama’s Brandon Miller with the No. 2 overall pick despite recent buzz around the possibility of Scoot Henderson surpassing him. The baseline appeal is obvious: Miller, at 6-foot-9, is one of the best shooters on the board.

Miller can hit 3s spotting up or pulling up off the dribble. He’s comfortable running pick-and-roll too and showcased tantalizing upside as a pick-and-roll creator. Some of his skip passes to the corner were really attention-catchers.

His defensive versatility on the wing is likely another source of appeal for the Hornets, who will continue to prioritize LaMelo Ball as the team’s primary ball-handler.

That said, Miller is only the No. 7 prospect on our board. He struggles finishing around the rim and he doesn’t have elite burst, often struggling to gain separation against top defenders in isolation. His upside compared to others in this range is limited.

From our NBA Draft Big Board:

"An explosive 6-foot-7, 230-pound power athlete on the wing, Cam Whitmore kept NBA scouts intrigued all season despite bouts of inconsistency. He can defend up and down the positional spectrum and he possesses impressive open-court athleticism. Tie that in with steady growth as a shooter and playmaker, and there’s reason to believe Whitmore’s game will only get better from here. Plus, he played for Villanova, one of the top developmental hotspots in the country."