How Is the 2023 Second Overall Pick Recovering from His Injury?

The Charlotte Hornets remain optimistic about the potential of Brandon Miller this season. Last year, the former second overall pick suffered an injury to his wrist that kept him out for the remainder of the season. The injury bug hit the Hornets hard the previous season as injuries were running rampant throughout the locker room. Miller’s play is something that Hornets fans are monitoring as they expect him to be the “ Robin” to LaMelo Ball’s “Batman.” However, this is the first time Miller is coming back from an injury that derailed his season. An injury that is considered rare amongst league circles. So, there is no way of telling how Miller will bounce back from this. However, Hornets fans do know that he is coming back, but will he return as the same player he was before, or will it take him time to bounce back?

Reportedly, Miller is taking things slowly and is now wearing a brace. According to Yahoo Sports, Miller is working on finding his range of motion and regaining his shooting form. It is fair to say that the former Alabama Crimson Tide Forward was taking the next step in his career before he got hurt. He was coming off a rookie season where he averaged 17 points, four rebounds, and two assists per game. Miller shot 37 percent from the three-point line and was named to the All-Rookie Team. Heading into his second year, the three-time Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month was expected to take the next step in his development under new head coach Charles Lee; however, injuries prevented Miller from taking that next step as he only appeared in 27 games with the wrist injury being the straw that broke the camel’s back in his sophomore season. Due to his injuries, many other players from within his draft class have taken off, with many highlighting the recent play of Amen Thompson. The Houston Rockets forward was taken two picks after Miller in the 2023 NBA Draft, and many analysts have said that Thompson would have been a better pick than Miller. However, we do not live in a world of fantasy, and both players are still young and still have potential to reach their ceiling.

The truth is that Miller has not had a chance to break through yet. He has not fully recovered from the injury, but he is expected to be ready for training camp. The Hornets have been impressed with his progress so far because they know the potential for Miller to be a star is there. In his rookie year, Brandon Miller showed that he was a versatile scorer, but then he could not stay on the court for his second year. The Hornets are a young team on the rise, and the organization expects Miller to be a part of the ship that turns around the direction of their franchise. The former Alabama product has a chance of being a capable two-way star in the league, and this upcoming season will hopefully serve as a reminder to fans and the rest of the league of the potential of this capable two-way star.