Miami basketball legends Isaiah Wong and Jordan Miller became the first Hurricanes’ teammates since Bruce Brown and Lonnie Walker who were selected in the same NBA Draft. The Los Angeles Clippers selected Miller with the 48th overall pick and Wong went 55th to the Indiana Pacers. All four had stellar 2022-23 seasons.
Wong earned ACC Player of the Year. Miller and Wong were both named all Midwest Region in the NCAA Tournament. In the NCAA Tournament Midwest Regional Championship game Miller scored 27 points by making all seven of his field goal attempts. Miller averaged 15.3 points per game and 6.2 rebounds this season.
One of the most efficient players in college basketball, Miller shot 54.5 percent from the floor, 78.4 percent from the free throw line and made 35.2 percent of his three-point shots. Miller also averaged 2.7 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.4 blocks per game. Miller joins a Clippers franchise that will be in transition.
Wong led the Miami basketball team averaging 16.2 PPG and added 4.3 RPG, 3.2 APG, 1.4 SPG and 0.4 BPG, but will have to cut down on his 2.1 turnovers per game. Wong made 44.5 percent of his shots from the floor, 84.5 of his free throw attempts and 38.4 percent of his three-point shots. Wong joins a young Pacers roster.
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48. Los Angeles Clippers: SF Jordan Miller, Miami
"“Miller is a rare five-year college player who comes off the board here to the Clippers for a team in need of wing depth. He’s coming off a career year as a scorer and developing playmaker and could give Los Angeles a nice 3-and-D weapon off the bench. Grade: C”"
Miller should get a chance to play behind All-Stars Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. George played in 56 games last season and Leonard 52. The Clippers used 20 players last season. Four Clippers are free agents this summer including Russell Westbrook. Adam Finklestein of CBS Sports graded each NBA Draftee.
"55. Indiana Pacers (via Cavaliers): SG Isaiah Wong, Miami“The second Miami product selected in this year’s draft, Wong comes off the board to Indiana and gives the Pacers a shifty scoring guard with craft off the dribble and nice finishing ability. He leaves the Hurricanes as a three-time All-ACC honoree and was a key piece of resurrecting the Miami program under Jim Larranaga. Grade: B+”"
Indiana has five free agents that include veteran guard George Hill. Guard Bennedict Mathurin was named 2023 first-team all-rookie. Wong can provide versatility with the ability to play either guard position. The Pacers drafted four players and three guards including Wong. There will be a lot of competition for playing time.
Brown and Walker have set great examples for future Miami players entering the NBA. Brown won an NBA Championship with the Denver Nuggets. Walker advanced to the Western Conference finals with the Los Angeles Lakers. Brown and Walker were both key players during their teams’ postseason runs.