Brandon Miller drafted second overall
Thursday night was historic for the University of Alabama men’s basketball program as the Charlotte Hornets drafted Brandon Miller with the second player taken. “Brandon was our favorite all along,” Hornets general manager Mitch Kupchak said. “There was a lot of spirited discussion in the last three days, which I welcome. … But I think he’s the player that is the best player.’ “I know we are going to go in and have as much fun as we can in Charlotte,” Miller said. Teammate Noah Clowney was selected 21st overall by the Brooklyn Nets. “I want to get better and perfect my game in every part possible,” Clowney said. This is not the first time the NBA has selected two Tide players in the same draft. In 1995, Antonio McDyess was selected number 2 overall by the L.A. Clippers, and Jason Caffey was selected number 20 overall by Chicago Bulls. Under head coach Nate Oats four Alabama players have been drafted in the first round during his time at Alabama. Miller and Clowney are the 18th and 19th First Round selections in program history. Miller tied McDyess as the highest draft pick in school history. Miller became the first SEC player to win SEC Player of the Year, Freshman of the Year and Tournament MVP in the same season. Miller is the only Division I player in the last 30 years to score 696 points, record 305 rebounds, and make 106 three-pointers in a single season. He also scored 696 points, setting the program record for most points a freshman scored in a single season. France’s Victor Wembanyama was the first player taken in the draft by the San Antonio Spurs. The 7-foot-six-inch center was the consensus pick. Miller was the second player taken. Then the Portland Trailblazers took Scoot Henderson with the number three selection, Charlotte’s decision to take Miller over Henderson was the most controversial move of the night, and the two players are now linked by that comparison. Amen Thompson was selected fourth by the Houston Rockets, followed by his twin brother Ausar Thompson at five by the Detroit Pistons. After the top five 6. Orlando – Anthony Black (Arkansas) 7. Indiana – Bilal Coulibaly (Metropolitans 92) – Traded to Washington 8. Washington – Jarace Walker (Houston) – Traded to Indiana 9. Utah – Taylor Hendricks (Central Florida) 10. Dallas – Cason Wallace (Kentucky) – Traded to Oklahoma City 11. Orlando – Jett Howard (Michigan) 12. Oklahoma City – Dereck Lively II (Duke) – Traded to Dallas 13. Toronto – Gradey Dick (Kansas) 14. New Orleans – Jordan Hawkins (Connecticut) 15. Atlanta – Kobe Bufkin (Michigan) 16. Utah – Keyonte George (Baylor) 17. Lakers – Jalen Hood-Schifino (Indiana) 18. Miami – Jaime Jaquez Jr. (UCLA) 19. Golden State – Brandin Podziemski (Santa Clara) 20. Houston – Cam Whitmore (Villanova) 21. Brooklyn – Noah Clowney (Alabama) 22. Brooklyn – Dariq Whitehead (Duke) 23. Portland – Kris Murray (Iowa) 24. Sacramento – Olivier-Maxence Prosper (Marquette) – Reportedly traded to Dallas 25. Memphis – Marcus Sasser (Houston) – Traded to Detroit 26. Indiana – Ben Sheppard (Belmont) 27. Charlotte – Nick Smith Jr. (Arkansas) 28. Utah – Brice Sensabaugh (Ohio State) 29. Indiana – Julian Strawther (Gonzaga) – Traded to Denver 30. Clippers – Kobe Brown (Missouri) Second Round 31. Detroit – James Nnaji (FC Barcelona) – Reportedly traded to Boston 32. Indiana – Jalen Pickett (Penn State)– Traded to Denver 33. San Antonio – Leonard Miller (G League Ignite) – Traded to Minnesota 34. Charlotte – Colby Jones (Xavier) – Reportedly traded to Sacramento 35. Boston – Julian Phillips (Tennessee) – Reportedly traded to Chicago 36. Orlando – Andre Jackson Jr. (Connecticut) – Traded to Milwaukee 37. Oklahoma City – Hunter Tyson (Clemson) – Traded to Denver 38. Sacramento – Jordan Walsh (Arkansas) – Reportedly traded to Boston 39. Charlotte – Mouhamed Gueye (Washington State) – Reportedly traded to Atlanta 40. Denver – Maxwell Lewis (Pepperdine) – Reportedly traded to Lakers (via Indiana) 41. Charlotte – Amari Bailey (UCLA) 42. Washington – Tristan Vukcevic (Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade) 43. Portland – Rayan Rupert (NZ Breakers) 44. San Antonio – Sidy Cissoko (G League Ignite) 45. Memphis – Gregory Jackson II (South Carolina) 46. Atlanta – Seth Lundy (Penn State) 47. Lakers – Mojave King (G League Ignite) – Reportedly traded to Indiana 48. Clippers – Jordan Miller (Miami) 49. Cleveland – Emoni Bates (Eastern Michigan) 50. Oklahoma City – Keyontae Johnson (Kansas State) 51. Brooklyn – Jalen Wilson (Kansas) 52. Phoenix – Toumani Camara (Dayton) 53. Minnesota – Jaylen Clark (UCLA) 54. Sacramento – Jalen Slawson (Furman) 55. Indiana – Isaiah Wong (Miami) 56. Memphis – Tarik Biberovic (Fenerbahce Beko) 57. Washington – Trayce Jackson-Davis (Indiana) – Reportedly traded to Golden State 58. Milwaukee – Chris Livingston (Kentucky) Auburn point guard Wendell Green Jr. was not drafted but reportedly has signed to play in the NBA’s summer league for rookies for the Cleveland Cavaliers. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Both Auburn and Alabama advanced in NCAA basketball tournament
Thursday was a big day for college basketball fans and particularly those of Auburn University and the University of Alabama. The two big state Southeastern Conference schools won their opening round men’s basketball games before packed crowds in Birmingham’s Legacy Arena. Auburn defeated Iowa 83 to 75. Auburn’s victory was led by Sophomore Johni Broome, who had 19 points, twelve rebounds, one assist, and five blocked shots in the game. The 6’10” forward is a native of Plant City, Florida. Jaylin Williams had 11 points, two rebounds, and two assists in the win. The 6-foot-8-inch forward is a native of Mahunta, Georgia. Tre Donaldson had 11 points, three rebounds, and two assists in 13 minutes. Donaldson is a 6-foot-two-inch freshman guard from Tallahassee, Florida. Allen Flanigan had 10 points, ten rebounds, and four assists. The 6-foot 6-inch senior guard is from Littlerock, Aransas. Wendell Green Jr. had 15 points, two rebounds, and three assists. Green is a 5-foot-11-inch Guard from Detroit, Michigan. K.D. Johnson had 11 points. The 6-foot senior guard is a native of Atlanta, Georgia. Auburn will play Houston next. Auburn made the final four in 2019. Alabama defeated Texas A&M Corpus Christi 96 to 75. Nick Pringle had 19 points and fifteen rebounds. Pringle is a 6-foot-9-inch Junior forward from Seabrook, South Carolina. Mark Sears had 15 points, one rebound, and three assists. Sears is a 6-foot-1-inch Junior guard from Muscle Shoals. Jahvon Quinerly had 13 points, one rebound, and one assist. He is a 6-foot-1-inch Senior guard from Hackensack, New Jersey. Noah Clowney had 10 points and four rebounds. He is a 6-foot-10-inch Freshman forward from Spartanburg, South Carolina. Charles Bediako had 9 points and eight rebounds. Bediako is a 7-foot-10-inch Sophomore center from Bradenton, Ontario. Nimari Burnett had 11 points, three rebounds, and one assist. Burnett is a 6-foot-4-inch Sophomore guard from Chicago, Illinois. The Tide’s best player, Brandon Miller, did not score. Alabama will play Maryland next. Both teams are now in the final 32 teams. If they win, they will advance to the Sweet 16. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
