Baba Miller knows his NBA destination. The Spanish small forward was selected by the Los Angeles Clippers with the 36th pick in the Draft, in a second round marked by constant movement of selections and high expectations surrounding his name.
After a first night in which AJ Dybantsa was chosen as the number one pick and Aday Mara and Sergio de Larrea went in the first round, Spanish attention also focused on Baba Miller. Finally, the player developed through Real Madrid's youth academy found a home in Los Angeles, where he will begin a new chapter with a franchise entering this new cycle with several open questions.
Baba Miller, new Los Angeles Clippers player
The Los Angeles Clippers bet on Baba Miller with the 36th pick in the NBA Draft. The Spanish player, who went through three different NCAA college programs, now faces the major challenge of earning a spot in the world's best league.
His arrival comes in a context of partial rebuilding and many questions surrounding the immediate future of the roster. Tyronn Lue will be in charge of directing a team in which Kawhi Leonard's role continues to be unclear. As of now, Darius Garland and Bradley Beal appear as the main references, while Keaton Wagler, selected with the fifth pick in the Draft, represents the franchise's major bet for the future.
In addition to Baba Miller, the Clippers completed their second round with the additions of Nick Martinelli and Narcisse Ngoy, expanding the group of young players who will try to make their way in the Los Angeles project.
A very complete season at Cincinnati
Baba Miller arrives in the NBA after a very solid campaign with Cincinnati. In his final college season, he averaged 13 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.2 blocks per game, numbers that reflect his impact across different facets of the game.
His production allowed him to rank among just three players in all of the NCAA who reached at least 13 points, 10 rebounds and three assists per game during the season. Additionally, he left a historic mark on the Bearcats: he became the first player in the program since Oscar Robertson in the 1959-60 season capable of leading the team in points, rebounds and assists in the same year.
That complete profile is precisely one of Miller's major arguments for his NBA adaptation. His size, mobility, rebounding ability and court vision make him an interesting player for a league that increasingly values big wings capable of doing multiple things on the court.
The three-pointer, the major area for improvement
The biggest area to improve in Baba Miller's game remains the outside shot. The Spanish player finished his college career with a 29% three-point percentage, a figure that could affect his immediate fit in the NBA.
His best season from beyond the arc came at Florida Atlantic, where he shot 34.2% from three after making 39 of his 114 attempts. That improvement will be key to determining how far his role with the Los Angeles Clippers can go.
In an NBA where offensive spacing is fundamental, Miller will need to become a more reliable threat from long distance. If he can raise his percentage and force defenses to respect him on the perimeter, his chances of entering Tyronn Lue's rotation will increase considerably. If he doesn't, his path to consistent minutes could be more difficult.
What role can Baba Miller have with the Clippers?
Initially, everything points to Baba Miller having to earn his space step by step. The Las Vegas Summer League appears as his first major showcase to demonstrate his potential within the NBA professional environment.
His situation with the Clippers could be an opportunity. The franchise has proven talent, but also questions about the roster structure, especially due to the uncertainty surrounding Kawhi Leonard. That scenario could open a door for young players capable of convincing the coaching staff through daily work and versatility.
Baba Miller doesn't arrive as an immediate bet to assume a starring role, but rather as a profile with room for growth and interesting tools. His ability to rebound, assist, protect the rim and play multiple positions could help him find minutes if he manages to adapt to the NBA pace and improve his outside shooting.
The challenge is clear: make the most of the Summer League, grow during the season and prove that he can be more than a second-round pick. The Los Angeles Clippers offer him a demanding context, but also a real opportunity to start building his path in the NBA.