Alabama Basketball: One generational talent away from a no. 1 overall pick

In just a few short months, Alabama basketball freshman Brandon Miller has vaulted himself into the conversation of all-time Crimson Tide hoops greats. In recent weeks, there has even been a lot of buzz surrounding Miller’s chances of becoming the no. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. While this likely will not happen, the fact that Brandon Miller has generated this level of speculation is an accomplishment in itself.

French product Victor Wembanyama will be the top pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. At 7’4” with the grace and skill of a wing player, Wembanyama is unlike anything the game has ever seen before.

Victor Wembanyama has an 8-foot wingspan, and can dunk standing flat-footed. He is a constant lob threat and, in spite of his skinny frame, he is one of the best rim-protecting prospects of all time as a shot blocker. Additionally, he has shooting touch out to the three-point line, highly developed ball-handling skills, and masterful footwork on offense.

There are generational prospects, and then there are unprecedented talents, and Wemby is closer to the latter. He may be the closest thing to a surefire number one draft pick since LeBron James 20 years ago. According to The Ringer, “[he] is a lock to be the no. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA draft like the sun is a lock to rise tomorrow morning.”

Alabama Basketball has the top prospect in college hoops

That being said, Alabama basketball superstar Brandon Miller may be the best NBA prospect in college basketball. Barring injury or a major slump, he will likely be a top-5 pick, and could very well be the first college player taken. He would be in serious contention for the no. 1 overall pick in virtually any other season.

Miller is more developed than Wembanyama on the offensive end of the floor, despite lacking the Frenchman’s freakish physical gifts.

Brandon Miller is a 6’9” wing who is already an NBA-ready scorer. He is an elite shotmaker at all three levels, has the size to create mismatches, and possesses effortless range from way beyond the three-point line (up to 45 feet in this absurd case).

While he won’t make the same defensive impact as Wembanyama, Miller is a solid defender in his own right and has shown flashes of a high ceiling at that end of the floor. His chase-down block against Mississippi State, among a handful of other plays, immediately comes to mind.

Brandon Miller also has the elusive clutch gene, and the cutthroat mentality necessary to become an all-time great. As the Alabama basketball season has progressed, he has only gotten better. Miller’s best basketball still appears to be in front of him.

While he won’t be the top pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, he could be the first player off the board that is currently playing college hoops. When it’s all said and done, Miller may also be the best pro player in this draft.