Bama in the NBA – Brandon Miller Returns to Action

The NBA is underway with familiar faces looking to be difference makers this season. Each week, I will highlight former Crimson Tide players with their performances and much more.

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Colin Sexton (Point Guard, Utah Jazz)

During the 2017-18 season, the former Alabama guard averaged 19.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. Sexton was named to both the SEC All-Freshman and All-Second Teams. A memorable performance happened during a game versus Minnesota. Sexton scored 40 points, nearly single-handedly keeping Alabama in the game despite only having three players on the floor. Sexton declared for the NBA Draft following his freshman year and was chosen eighth overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2018.

Sexton, now in his seventh NBA season, is averaging 23.5 minutes, 13.5 points, and 2.3 assists per game. Utah’s road trip begins tonight in Chicago against the Bulls at 7:30 p.m. CT, followed by a Thursday matchup with Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks at 7:00 p.m. CT. The trip concludes Saturday in San Antonio, where they’ll face Chris Paul and Victor Wembanyama at 4:00 p.m. CT.

Brandon Miller (Forward, Charlotte Hornets)

The Antioch native played an important part for Alabama during the 2022–23 season. Miller led the SEC in scoring (18.8 points per game) as a freshman, while also averaging 8.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists. Miller's performance won him SEC Player of the Year, SEC Freshman of the Year, and SEC Tournament MVP honors. Miller entered the 2023 NBA Draft and was picked second overall by the Charlotte Hornets.

In his second NBA season, Miller is averaging 21 minutes, 11.0 points, and 3.5 assists per game, though his return to the Hornets is uncertain due to a recent glute injury. Charlotte starts a road trip tonight against Anthony 'Ant-Man' Edwards and the Timberwolves at 8:00 p.m. CT, then faces Caleb Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. CT. The trip concludes Friday with a game against Indiana featuring Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner, also at 6:00 p.m. CT.

Herb Jones (Forward, New Orleans Pelicans)

Herb Jones earned a reputation for his defensive skill and mobility while at Alabama. As a senior, Jones had 11.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game. Jones earned SEC Player of the Year, SEC Defensive Player of the Year, and Third-Team All-American accolades. Jones also participated in Alabama's regular season and SEC Tournament titles in 2021. Jones entered the 2021 NBA Draft and was taken 35th overall by the New Orleans Pelicans.

Now in his fourth NBA season, Jones is averaging 28.3 minutes, 2.5 rebounds, and 6.8 points per game. He’s expected to miss two to four weeks due to a right shoulder injury with a minor partial tear in his rotator cuff. The Pelicans play Portland at home tonight at 8:30 p.m. CT, followed by a matchup against Donovan Mitchell and Cleveland on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. CT. They’ll wrap up the week on Friday in Orlando, facing Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs.

Tipoff for Alabama and UNC-Asheville is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. CT on ESPN U. Radio broadcast of Alabama and UNC-Asheville is available on Tide 100.9.

Chase Brumfield is the morning producer and writer for Tide 100.9. He is currently a senior studying communications at Mississippi State University. Follow Chase for more Alabama content on X at @cb3864.