Report: Brandon Miller Recovering From Mono Since Alabama Season Ended

Former Crimson Tide standout has lost 13 pounds since his last game in the NCAA Tournament two months ago.

Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

There was some talk that former University of Alabama basketball player Brandon Miller didn't have a good showing at the NBA Combine last week, and now we know a major reason why. 

A significant amount of the speculation stemmed from an ESPN report by Jonathan Givony that Miller was noticeably out of basketball shape when visiting teams in Chicago. 

Specifically, he said: “Every team is looking for this type of player,” he said on Zach Lowe’s podcast. “Six-nine, big guard, can handle the ball. Pass out of pick and roll. Make shots off the dribble. Defend multiple positions. Rebound. That’s what people are looking for.

“At the same time, he’s not in great shape right now. So I don’t know how great his workout is going to be.

It turns out there was a good reason why. Givony and Jeremy Woo reported on Tuesday: 

"Hornets general manager Mitch Kupchak is known to place individual team workouts very high up on his priority list when it comes to his decision-making process, and it's unclear what type of workout Miller -- who was recovering at home in Nashville, Tennessee, from mononucleosis while his peers were training for the pre-draft process -- will be able to conduct on his visit to Charlotte. Miller has lost 13 pounds and hasn't had much basketball activity since the season ended, his agent, Wilmer Jackson, told ESPN."

As a freshman, Miller's listed playing weight last season was 200 pounds. 

With Victor Wembanyama apparently a lock to go No. 1 overall to the San Antonio Spurs, the 2023 NBA Draft, which will be held June 22, really begins with the second pick owned by the Hornets, with the Portland Trailblazers selecting third. Scoot Henderson of G League Ignite is considered to be the other strong option along with Miller.  

"I could definitely see myself fitting in," Miller told reporters at the combine according to All Hornets. "I called it that they was going to move up to number two. But right now, I'm just taking it slow and going through the process."

According to Sportac.com, the difference between being selected second overall and third monetarily is almost $5 million. The No. 2 spot is slotted for a contract with a total value of $48,644,832 ($10.7 million rookie season), while the No. 3 selection lands a deal worth  $43,704,517 ($9.6 million).

"I think one thing that separates me from any player, I would say, just being versatile. I really take pride in the defensive side of the ball," Miller said. "It's more to the game than just offense. If your shot's not falling, what can you do to help a team win a game? And I think I can help with my defense as far as diving on the floor getting 50/50 [balls], defensive rebounding, taking charges."

SEE ALSO: Alabama Center Charles Bediako Remaining in NBA Draft