Why Everyone’s Googling Brandon Miller Today: 7 Things You Need to Know About the NBA’s Rising Star

Charlotte, N.C. — Brandon Miller, the Charlotte Hornets’ 2023 No. 2 overall pick, stepped back into the public eye this week to update fans on his recovery from right-wrist surgery and to host his inaugural Brandon Miller Youth Basketball Camp at the Spectrum Center. The 22-year-old forward said his rehab is “ahead of schedule,” and team trainers expect him to resume full-contact drills before the end of July, giving him a clear runway to the Hornets’ 2025-26 training camp. Miller’s rookie campaign was cut short in January after he tore the scapholunate ligament in his shooting wrist. Charlotte announced season-ending surgery that same week, a blow to a roster already battered by injuries. At the time of the setback, the 6-foot-9 wing was averaging 16.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and shooting 38 percent from beyond the arc—production that had him on the fringes of the All-Rookie conversation. The former Alabama standout spent the spring working with specialized hand therapists in Los Angeles before returning to the team facility in mid-May for controlled on-court sessions. According to Hornets performance staff, Miller’s strength tests in the injured wrist have already surpassed pre-surgery baselines, an encouraging sign for a player whose shooting touch is central to Charlotte’s spacing-oriented offense under head coach Charles Lee. While the rehab headlines drew attention, Miller’s three-day camp stole hearts. More than 200 middle-school athletes filled the Spectrum Center practice courts, rotating through shooting stations, ball-handling drills and life-skills workshops. Registration fees were waived for Mecklenburg County students, thanks to a partnership between the Brandon Miller Foundation and local nonprofit Basketball Bridges. “I wanted kids who look like me to know they belong in these halls,” Miller told reporters on site, emphasizing his commitment to making the event an annual fixture. From an on-court perspective, the Hornets see Miller as a linchpin in a pivotal offseason that also features the return of LaMelo Ball and the arrival of a top-five 2025 draft pick. Team executives have prioritized playmaking reps for Miller, hoping to expand his role from spot-up scorer to secondary initiator. Assistant coach Ronald Nored noted that Miller’s improved handle and frame—he’s reportedly added eight pounds of lean muscle—should unlock bigger lineups with Miles Bridges sliding to small forward. Fantasy basketball managers are already circling Miller as a breakout pick, and early betting markets list him as a top candidate for the NBA’s Most Improved Player award. If his rehab continues without setbacks, he is expected to headline the Hornets’ abbreviated August mini-camp, followed by full participation in preseason. Off the floor, Miller hinted at launching a scholarship fund for single-parent households in Alabama and North Carolina, mirroring the path his own family took to keep him in elite AAU circuits. Details are expected later this summer. Key Takeaways for Fans and Searchers: • Brandon Miller rehabilitation timeline: full clearance anticipated late July. • Charlotte Hornets offseason outlook: integrating Ball, Bridges and a 2025 lottery pick around Miller’s evolving skill set. • Community impact: free youth camp and upcoming scholarship initiative underscore Miller’s growing off-court brand. With momentum building on both personal and team fronts, Brandon Miller’s comeback story is set to be one of the NBA’s most-watched narratives when the 2025-26 season tips off in October.