After dropping out of the 2022 NBA Draft, Canadian-born G-League Ignite forward Leonard Miller now has a second shot at turning his dreams into reality. With impressive skills on both ends of the floor, Miller has turned heads with his play in the NBA’s development league, just enough for a team to take a chance on the 19-year-old.
Leonard Miller 2023 NBA Draft Profile
Pre-Draft Career
Before joining the Ignite, the 6-foot-10, 210-pound Miller was a four-star recruit from Fort Erie International Academy. He took advantage of the chance to play against professional competition with the Ignite, averaging 18 points, 11 rebounds, 0.9 steals and 0.8 blocks per game. He also held respectable shooting splits of 55% from the field, 32% from three and 79% from the free-throw line.
Strengths
Miller is an offensive gem, using his length to glide to the rim with ease while displaying crafty moves in the process. For a 19-year-old prospect, his skill set is deep, boasting an array of handles, post-up moves, and self-creation to get his own buckets. He’s known for stuffing the stat sheet, and that was evident in a 29-point, 14-rebound performance against the Sioux Falls Skyforce in March.
Miller is unafraid to attack the rack, often going for poster dunks any chance he gets, and converting on a good number of them. His 11 rebounds (3.3 offensive, 7.7 defensive) ranked him sixth in the G-League. It’s also worth noting that he averaged 4.3 second-chance points per game and 12.3 points in the paint this season.
Leonard’s playmaking (1.6 APG) is also on the rise. He shows solid court awareness, being able to find teammates on fast breaks or in the half-court setting. It’s particularly effective when he draws defenses in with his drives or when he brings the ball up, easily sliding the ball over to a cutting teammate or one behind the arc. Miller reads the court very well for a young prospect, something that he can use to his advantage at the next level.
Lastly, much of Miller’s defensive highlights came from help-side or chase down blocks, which can be attributed to both his athleticism and 7-foot-2 wingspan. He can hold his own in the paint, altering or contesting attempts well. He has also shown a decent ability to contest threes, using his length to block opposing three-pointers. Miller refuses to back down from the competition, a trait that will prove effective against veteran NBA players.
Weaknesses
As great as Miller is offensively, he is still very much a raw player on both sides. Miller’s jump shooting will have to improve, as defenses can easily take away his drives and his lefty jumper is rather odd. According to G League statistics, 11.8% of Leonard’s points came from threes and 4.2% from midrange, numbers that will have to increase in a league that thrives on jumpers. Additionally, he needs to improve in not only playmaking but taking care of the ball. His 1.6 assists are countered by 1.5 turnovers per game (1.08 assist-to-turnover ratio).
If Miller can gain consistency defensively while improving his jump shooting and ball security, he’ll prove to NBA teams that he’s a worthy draft pick. The upside is certainly there. It’s just a matter of putting it all together and shoring up some loose ends.
NBA Player Comparison
Toss-up between Marvin Bagley III and Brandon Ingram.
Bagley III and Leonard Miller share traits of being left-handed and mediocre three-point shooters and shot blockers. They’re also both more active in the paint than the perimeter, with Bagley consistently shooting around 55-60% from twos and roughly 30% from three through his four years in the league so far.
Both tall and lanky forwards, Miller and Ingram are both talented offensively, scoring first but able to make plays for teammates. Though Ingram quickly improved on his playmaking and three-point shooting as the years went on, he and Miller also both use their length effectively to score and contest well.
