Baba Miller, the 'dark horse' of the Spaniards who could end up on an All-Rookie Team

Baba Miller is about to culminate a journey that started on the courts of Mallorca. The power forward, developed in the Bahía San Agustín youth system, will make his NBA debut early this morning with the Los Angeles Clippers and will become the third player born on the island to play in a game in the best league in the world, after Rudy Fernández and Álex Abrines. His debut will come at the beginning of the 2026/2027 regular season, which started this Tuesday, against the Sacramento Kings. The game will take place at 4:30 AM at the Intuit Dome, the Clippers' arena.

A preseason that invites optimism

The Mallorcan faces his official debut after a good preseason, in which he has shown that he can contribute in various aspects of the game and earn a spot in the second unit's rotation. In the three games he has played, he has averaged 11.3 points and five rebounds in approximately 19 minutes per game.

His preparation began on October 4 against the Golden State Warriors, with nine points and six rebounds in 20 minutes, as well as five successful free throws out of six attempts. Six days later, against the Toronto Raptors, he added ten points, four rebounds, two steals, and one block in 16 minutes, although the Clippers lost 106-114.

His best performance came on October 15 against the Denver Nuggets. Miller scored 15 points, grabbed five rebounds, and dished out two assists in 21 minutes. He also made five baskets out of six field goal attempts and converted both of his three-point attempts. His contribution helped the Los Angeles team to win 122-110.

These statistics demonstrate his ability to combine physicality, rebounding, and scoring, along with perimeter efficiency that could be valuable for the California team. An absolute international with Spain, he now needs to transfer those feelings to official competition and seize the opportunities given to him by the coaching staff.

A milestone for Mallorcan basketball

Miller's debut represents a new source of pride for Balearic basketball. After Rudy Fernández and Álex Abrines, he will be the third player born in Mallorca to reach the NBA. His arrival at the international elite holds added value for an island whose teams have never competed in the ACB League, the highest category of Spanish basketball.

After facing the Sacramento Kings, the Clippers will have new commitments, including two games against the Los Angeles Lakers, their major city rival. Miller's initial schedule also includes matches against the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves. The proximity of these dates will require him to quickly adapt to the competition's pace, in an early stretch that could be crucial for defining his role in the team.

NBA games can be followed through platforms like Amazon Prime Video, DAZN, and NBA League Pass, although it is necessary to check the programming and access conditions of each service to confirm the broadcast of the game.

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From Palma to Real Madrid and from university to the NBA

Miller's path began on the courts of Germans Escalas in Palma and Toni Servera in s’Arenal. Standing at 2.11 meters tall, he developed in Bahía San Agustín until the age of 12, when he joined Real Madrid. The son of a Senegalese father who played basketball and a British mother, the 22-year-old player still has friends in Mallorca. He was already standing out when he studied at Es Pil·larí school, although few could then imagine that he would end up reaching the NBA.

An admirer of Kevin Durant, Miller always aimed to reach the best league in the world. On December 23, 2021, he debuted with Real Madrid's first team in the EuroLeague against CSKA Moscow, sharing the court with two icons like Rudy Fernández and Menorcan Sergi Llull. Although it seemed that he would continue in the white club to forge a path in the first team, he decided to change direction to pursue his dream.

He then went through Florida State and Florida Atlantic before landing in Cincinnati, where he had a solid college career, averaging 13 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. His main aspect to improve is his outside shooting, but his physique, mobility, and defensive potential allow him to play as a small forward or power forward and provide depth to the roster. The Clippers trust his talent and versatility, qualities they already recognized in Mallorca.

Chosen in the 36th position of the second round of the draft, Miller thus begins a new phase after having gone through Spanish youth basketball and American college basketball. His debut represents the culmination of a goal pursued since childhood and the opportunity to demonstrate that he can carve out a space in the NBA.

Five Spaniards in the NBA

Miller's arrival will not be the only Spanish novelty in the competition. This season, the national representation increases to five players with the additions of Aday Mara, Sergio de Larrea, and Baba Miller himself, joining Santi Aldama and Hugo González.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Baba Miller, el "tapado" de los españoles que podría terminar en un All-Rookie Team