Police revealed earlier this week that the phenom of Alabama freshman Brandon Miller has a connection to a fatal shooting near campus last month.
According to police, Miller transported, but never handled, the suspected murder weapon to his former teammate, Darius Miles. The gun was the legal property of Miles, who allegedly gave it to Michael Davis.
Miles and Davis have been charged with capital murder in the death of 23-year-old Jamea Jonae Harris. And the police say that Miller will not be charged.
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Alabama Crimson Tide’s Brandon Miller (24) is frisked by a teammate during player introductions before kickoff against the Kentucky Wildcats at Coleman Coliseum on January 7, 2023 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Brandon Sumrall/Getty Images)
Because Miller has cooperated with law enforcement and stayed out of legal trouble, he has continued to play for the team, which has led to a lot of backlash.
Despite receiving a standing ovation in his first game back at home, Miller still drew ire elsewhere.
Since the start of the season, every time Miller has been introduced as a member of the starting lineup, he’s been frisked by a teammate as if Miller was going through security. Despite the latest revelation, Miller and a teammate continued with the ritual and received much criticism.
Alabama Crimson Tide’s Brandon Miller after defeating the Auburn Tigers at Neville Arena on February 11, 2023 in Auburn, Alabama. (Michael Chang/Getty Images)
«Absolutely terrible look for Alabama,» OutKick’s David Hookstead tweeted.
«At best deaf, at worst ruthless to the victim’s family,» another Twitter user wrote.
«If you’re Brandon Miller, you have to think about at least getting rid of the security frisking intro, don’t you?» said another.
Head coach Nate Oats, who has defended the decision to continue playing Miller, addressed the ritual after the game and said it will no longer take place.
«I think that’s something that’s been going on all year. I don’t really know. I don’t watch our pitches, I’m not involved with them. I’m making plays during that time. It’s not appropriate anyway.» , has been addressed and I can assure you that it definitely won’t happen again for the rest of this year.'» oats said.
ESPN’S JAY BILAS DEFENDS ALABAMA’S HANDLING OF THE SITUATION OF BRANDON MILLER IN THE MIDDLE OF SHOOTING LINK
Head coach Nate Oats gives coaching advice to Alabama Crimson Tide’s Brandon Miller (24) during a timeout against the LSU Tigers at Coleman Coliseum on January 14, 2023 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Brandon Sumrall/Getty Images)
Miller is considered a witness, not a suspect, to the murder.
«On January 14, Brandon played in an afternoon basketball game and then Darius Miles asked him to drive him to the Strip area to go to a nightclub,» Miller’s attorney, Jim Standridge, said. in a sentencevia Tuscaloosa Patch.
«Mr. Miles brought his legal handgun and left it in the backseat of Brandon’s vehicle. Brandon never saw the gun or handled it. Additionally, we understand the gun was hidden under some clothing in the backseat of his car. «.
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Despite receiving chants of «lock him up» earlier this week at South Carolina, Miller scored 41 points, including the game-winning shot, in a 78-76 overtime victory. He’s likely to be a top-five pick in this summer’s NBA Draft and could even be in the top three.