UM guards Jordan Miller, Isaiah Wong selected in second round of NBA Draft
University of Miami guards Jordan Miller and Isaiah Wong had to wait until after midnight Friday to hear the words they had been dreaming about their entire lives, but it was worth the wait.
Miller was selected by the Los Angeles Clippers with the 48th pick in the second round of the NBA Draft, and Wong was picked a few minutes later at No. 55 by the Indiana Pacers. Both teams have ties with UM coach Jim Larranaga. The Pacers head coach is Rick Carlisle, whom Larranaga recruited to play for Virginia 39 years ago. Clippers assistant coach Jay Larranaga is Jim’s son.
“It was a very long day, waiting until the end of the second round, but we stuck it out and when they called my name, me and my family yelled at the TV screen and celebrated,” Wong said by phone. “When I got the phone call, I started shaking. I was nervous. But then the coach called to welcome me and I felt very thankful. I worked for this my whole life and it still hasn’t hit me.”
It was the fourth time in Hurricanes program history that two players were selected in the same draft. The last time was when Bruce Brown and Lonnie Walker IV were drafted in 2018. Both made headlines in the NBA playoffs this month.
“It means a lot having me and Jordan both drafted,” Wong said. “After seeing what Lonnie and Bruce did, I feel we can do that, too. The things we did this season, leading the team to the Final Four together, we created a lot of buzz for each other. Having both of us drafted is special and we will still rep Miami wherever we go.”
Miller spent two years with UM after transferring from George Mason and averaged 15.3 points and 6.2 rebounds in his final season. He was a second-team All ACC selection, played a big role in Miami’s Elite Eight run in 2022 and the team’s historic Final Four run this spring. He had a perfect 27-point game against Texas in the Elite Eight, making all 20 of his attempts (7-for-7 from the floor and 13-for- 13 from the free-throw line).
“A lot of ACC coaches felt he was the best all-around player in the league,” said ESPN analyst Jay Bilas. “He’s a lefty, a tremendous cutter, a connector, a really good player.”
UM coach Jim Larranaga spoke with Miller in the days before the draft and had a good feeling.
“Jordan’s done great with all his interviews and tryouts,” Larranaga said. “I’ve talked to a number of NBA teams who love him and will look very, very closely at him. He’s excited. I think he’ll be a second-round pick.”
Miller credited Larranaga for preparing him for the NBA.
“Miami has been a place where I’ve really gotten to polish my game,” he told miamihurricanes.com. “Coach L’s a tremendous teacher and coach. Our practices are based off NBA practices, what they do. It sets us up to be successful when we get there.”
There is a chance Miller will sign a two-way contract, which allows developing players to simultaneously be rostered on an NBA team and its G League affiliate.
Wong, the ACC Player of the Year, chose to forego his final year of eligibility and enter the draft after averaging 16.2 points this season. He finished his UM career with 1,866 points to rank fourth all-time in program history.
“Every NBA team I talk to understands that (Isaiah) is a really a bucket-getter,” Larranaga said on the eve of the draft. “He can really score, all his workouts have proven that, and he’s such a nice kid. Everybody likes him a lot. I’m anticipating he’ll be a second-round pick. I don’t know how early or late, but I feel confident to say he has a great shot.”
Both players were selected to participate in the NBA Combine. For Wong, a 6-4 guard, it was the third time going through the draft preparation process. He tested the NBA waters twice before and chose to return to the Hurricanes both times. This time, he was ready.
This story was originally published June 23, 2023 at 12:58 AM.