Predicting the top 5 rookies heading into the 2023

Predicting the top 5 rookies heading into the 2023–24 NBA season

HENDERSON, NEVADA - OCTOBER 04: Victor Wembanyama #1 of Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92 and Scoot Henderson #0 of G League Ignite shake hands after their exhibition game at The Dollar Loan Center on October 04, 2022 in Henderson, Nevada. Ignite defeated Metropolitans 92 122-115. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

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Brandon Miller, Alabama Crimson Tide –Syndication Tuscaloosa News /

4. Brandon Miller, Small Forward, Charlotte Hornets

The Hornets are coming off an injury-plagued season for many of their core guys such as Gordon Hayward, Kelly Oubre Jr., and of course, their franchise player LaMelo Ball, who missed all but 36 games last year after going down with a broken right ankle which ended his season on March 1st.

The Hornets just extended Ball to a rookie max extension to secure their lead guard of the future and drafted Miller 2nd overall over Henderson to help pair an elite two-way wing with All-Star potential to form a young duo of the future with Ball.

Miller will come in right away off the jump getting considerable minutes as a rookie for the Hornets. He’s a scorer at will who can score at all three levels whether it was from deep, the mid-range, or attacking the basket.

He averaged 18.8 points per game last season at Alabama while shooting an efficient 48% from the field and 38% from three. Miller did have a 26.2% usage rate as a Bulldog last season, according to Basketball Reference, so it’ll be interesting to see how he fits with the Hornets as he won’t have the ball in his hands as much as a shot creator early on in his career with guys such as Ball, Oubre Jr, and Terry Rozier who also can take the pressure off in that department.

Miller is also a willing defender and has that killer instinct you love to see in players who are willing to do anything it takes to win.

Expect him to make a major impact on both ends for Charlotte from Day One.