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Orlando Magic NBA Draft Preview: Prospects to watch in the NCAA Tournament

By Harrison Brown

Keyonte George and Grady Dick are two of the big players the Orlando Magic may focus on when the NBA Draft comes into focus. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
Keyonte George and Grady Dick are two of the big players the Orlando Magic may focus on when the NBA Draft comes into focus. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – MARCH 12: Brandon Miller of the Alabama Crimson Tide. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – MARCH 12: Brandon Miller of the Alabama Crimson Tide. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Orlando Magic prospects to watch in the NCAA Tournament

6. Brandon Miller, Alabama

vs. Texas A&M Corpus Christi, Thurs., 2:45 p.m. (CBS)

The highest projected NBA Draft selection in all of college basketball, Brandon Miller is a scout’s dream.

He is 6-foot-9 with guard skills and is one of the best freshman offensive weapons in recent memory, averaging the 33rd most points in college basketball (19.6 points per game) for the top overall seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Initially, his body stands out. He is long but can still control the game with the ball in his hands. Miller loves to work out of the pick and roll, rubbing off screens to create space for an open look or into a dribble move.

He has perimeter ball skills that are masterful for his size and has shown an ability to break down defenders with behind the back, between the legs and spin moves to shake the defense.

Miller makes these moves on the perimeter in tight windows with little wasted movement. These moves are purposeful to create space and not just for show.

This is impressive for a taller player to be so comfortable with the basketball.

Miller has ball control and does a decent job of keeping his head up to pass out of screening actions. He can pass into tight-window looks to bigs around the basket. But most of the time, he is looking for his own shot.

There are not many weaknesses in his offense and his combination of size and pick-and-roll skill will translate to the next level. At times he can seem to be lacking confidence in his shot, as he likes to follow his own shot to get his own rebound. But this is nitpicking.

He is a great rebounder and immediately pushes the pace in the open floor. Miller has the ability to make quick moves to get past defenders in space and at his size he is hard to stop.

If you close out to him, he is tall enough to pass over your head to an open teammate for layups. At more than eight rebounds per game, he can create consistent offensive possessions out of defensive stops.

Elite body control is hard to find in a freshman, especially for a player his size. Miller reads the defense and can drive to the basket into a finish or use his leg strength for a step back three.

He can finish with either hand and has excellent touch around the rim. He has a complete offensive package that is only going to improve.

On defense, he is long and emphasizes contesting shots by putting his hands straight up. The length alters shots and his effort to contest is there. Miller is a competitor and a vocal leader.

He loves to trash talk but also gets loud to energize himself and his team. This kind of player can be contagious to winning culture.

The NBA will do an in-depth investigation into Miller’s off court issues, but his on court abilities cannot be ignored.

He is a vocal leader who can will his team to win with his offense. He can score from anywhere on the court and is not bashful. We will get to witness what kind of winner he is in the coming weeks of March Madness and his first seeded Crimson Tide.