Hornets fans BOO Brandon Miller as Charlotte selects him in NBA Draft with number 2 pick — five months after police said he gave the gun to Alabama teammate Darius Miles in a shooting that killed 23-year-old woman
- Miller has not been charged in the death of 23-year-old Jamea Harris
- Fans booed Miller’s roster over guard Scoot Henderson
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Second overall pick Brandon Miller may not receive that famous Southern hospitality when he heads to North Carolina and his new home in the NBA.
Miller, the controversial Alabama forward, was chosen as No. 2 by the Charlotte Hornets, and the fans didn’t seem too happy about it. Rumors began circulating during the day that the Hornets would take guard Scoot Henderson, but the franchise eventually settled for Miller.
Multiple videos showed fans of the Hornets vocally booing Miller’s roster — whose first season was sometimes overshadowed by his alleged role in a murder in Tuscaloosa.
Tuscaloosa police testified that Miller delivered a gun to teammate Darius Miles, which was eventually used by another man, Michael Lynn Davis, to kill the woman.
While Miles and Davis remain in jail awaiting trial for murder, Miller has not been arrested in the case. His lawyer says he never handled the firearm and had no idea any shots were fired. Miller’s coach, Nate Oats, said it was a case of “wrong place, wrong time.”
Second overall pick Brandon Miller didn’t get the warmest welcome from fans in Charlotte
Hornets fans across the city cheered Miller’s roster over Scoot Henderson
WFNZ’s Kyle Bailey reported that Miller was booed not once, but twice by the “overwhelming majority” of Charlotte Supporters as the ESPN broadcast came down on him.
WCCB-TV’s Kelli Bartik shared a clip of Hornet fans’ immediate reaction to the Miller pick announcement at the Spectrum Center with boos and some fans standing up and giving a thumbs down.
On the eve of the Draft, Miller said he doesn’t expect any further police action, after first saying the incident is “the one thing I can’t talk about.”
A fan spoke to WBTV reporter Cam Gaskins, visibly showing he was tired of the team’s decisions in recent drafts.
Michael Jordan. You’ve owned the Hornets—the Bobcats—since I’ve been a fan, man,” the angry fan began. “And every time I think you’re going to do something, like bad, you’re doing something worse.
Hornets fans have been through it all since day one. We’ve lined up more busts than any franchise. We have had to put up with so many things.
“Being a fan of this team has affected my mind. And the moment I think, “Okay, this is it, this is our breakthrough,” we line up Brandon Miller.
“So I’m rooting for that guy, I guess. It was the wrong choice, but I’m rooting for the man.’
WATCH: “Being a fan of this team has affected my mind.”
This poor Hornets fan went through it watching his team field Brandon Miller tonight. pic.twitter.com/OK5NZY3mVP
— Cam Gaskins (@CamGaskinsTV) June 23, 2023
Jamea Harris (left), a 23-year-old mother, was shot dead on January 14 near the University of Alabama campus. Crimson Tide forward Darius Miles (right) is charged with murder
The general Draft consensus was that the Hornets would pick Scoot Henderson or Brandon Miller, but they landed on the final Thursday night after holding a series of meetings earlier in the day.
Both players had trained earlier in the week in front of rowdy owner Michael Jordan, and the team was split on who to draft heading into the Draft in Brooklyn, but ultimately went for Miller.
Miller said he had no idea he would be selected second until it was announced, claiming it was a dream come true.
Miller has not been charged with a crime, but he allegedly supplied the weapon in Harris’s death
“When I found out, probably at least two seconds before they scolded me, it was exciting,” he said.
‘It’s a dream come true. I always dreamed of walking across the stage and shaking their hands and taking the pictures that we did. It’s all just a dream come true. I’m just getting ready to go to Charlotte.’
Miller will team up with LaMelo Ball while Charlotte is looking to return to the playoffs next season.
“Melo is my man,” Miller said of his new teammate. “I think with Melo, as good a point guard as he is, I fill the place [on the court]. And I know he’ll be my big brother when I’m not home.’