Some shocking news was revealed to the public on Monday in the continued developing legal story out of the Alabama men’s basketball program.
Alabama’s star freshman Brandon Miller was the individual responsible for bringing the gun to teammate Darius Miles that was used in the fatal shooting of 23-year-old Jamea Jonae Harris in January.
According to ESPN, Miles texted Miller requesting that his gun be brought to him, and Miller followed through on the request, bringing the gun to the scene via car. Miller is averaging 18.7 points and 8.0 rebounds per game for the Crimson Tide and is widely projected as a high first-round NBA draft pick.
On Monday afternoon, Alabama head coach Nate Oats spoke with the media and provided a comment on Miller’s situation. Oats’ comments, though, did not go over well with the public.
“We knew about that,” Oats said regarding Miller’s involvement with the situation. “Can’t control everything anybody does outside of practice. Nobody knew that this was going to happen. College kids are out. Brandon hasn’t been in any type of trouble nor is he in any type of trouble in this case. Wrong spot at the wrong time.”
Oats’ statements on Miller’s involvement were so tone-deaf and faulty that the program had to release a follow-up statement just a few hours later.
“In no way did I intend to downplay the seriousness of this situation or the tragedy of that night,” Oats said in the statement. “My prayers continue to go out to Jamea Harris’s family.”
Miller has not served any sort of suspension or had any discipline given out publicly since the incident.
More from RTI: Alabama Basketball Star Brandon Miller Brought Gun To Teammate In Fatal January Shooting
Here are some of the reactions from around the world of social media on Monday and Tuesday:
Reminder that Nate Oats is letting Brandon Miller and Jaden Bradley play tonight and appears ready to let them do so for the rest of the season.
That's not leadership.
— Brian Rauf (@brauf33) February 22, 2023
I don’t see how Nate Oats doesn’t get fired over this whole thing.
— Brandon Walker (@BFW) February 21, 2023
Regardless of whether Brandon Miller legally did anything wrong, bringing a gun that resulted in the death of a human being isn't "wrong spot at the wrong time." I'm still flabbergasted Nate Oats actually used those words to describe the situation.
— John Talty (@JTalty) February 21, 2023
Jaylen mccollough served a harsher punishment at UT for defending himself from an intruder, than Brandon miller will at Bama for being an accessory to murder.
— zac (@z_strick) February 21, 2023
Brandon Miller did WHAT?
Nate Oats said WHAT?
— Barrett Sallee 🇺🇸 (@BarrettSallee) February 21, 2023
Bruce pearl got fired for giving his players some hot dogs but Nate oats covered up an accessory to murder.
— TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS (@ethandwert) February 21, 2023
Being in a bar when a brawl breaks out is being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Caught outside in a thunderstorm? Wrong place at wrong time.
Bringing a gun to a friend who intends on using it is NOT wrong place at wrong time. What an idiotic statement by Nate Oats.
— Brian Stultz (@brianjstultz) February 21, 2023
If Brandon Miller hasn't played his last second at Alabama, there is something very wrong with the adults in charge at that University.
— Chad Withrow (@TheChadWithrow) February 21, 2023
If Brandon Miller was a walk-on, he would’ve been removed from the team as soon as Nate Oats heard about it.
But nope, can’t jeopardize winning the national title by taking away your best player, even though he delivered a weapon used in a murder.
All of this is shameful.
— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) February 22, 2023
Read this slowly and carefully: Brandon Miller is not responsible for another man’s actions once he returns the man’s property to him.
— Bama’s New OC (@BC_Abrams32) February 22, 2023
BREAKING🚨🚨🚨: Brandon Miller will suit up with the Tide to take on South Carolina tomorrow night regardless of what the Twitter legal experts who have not read a single word of the case file say. Life is good when you use your head for more than just a hat rack folks.
— Emily BAMA BY FIDDY (@elbuckner) February 22, 2023
Brandon Miller did absolutely nothing wrong, and if he did, he’d be cellmates with Miles
Don’t fall for the clickbait headlines.
— Wyatt Fulton (@FultonW_) February 21, 2023
The Alabama coach, Nate Oats, said that Brandon Miller, his star player, wasn't "in any type of trouble" in the case. Man, if you bring someone a gun that's then used to murder an innocent woman, you're in trouble, even if you end up not being charged.
— James Surowiecki (@JamesSurowiecki) February 22, 2023
1. Brandon Miller brought a loaded gun to the murder scene.
2. Miller was close enough to the scene that two gunshots hit his windshield.
Then when asked, Nate Oats says they knew about that!?! Claiming Miller was “wrong spot at the wrong time,” is an irresponsible answer… pic.twitter.com/YSd1eW80jo
— Tristan Pharis (@TristanUda) February 21, 2023
Deandre Ayton: ESPN is reporting you took money. You’re going to sit a game while we look at it
Brandon Miller: You provided a gun used in a murder. Go out there and play hard.
My head is going to explode.
— Jason Scheer (@jasonscheer) February 21, 2023
If Brandon Miller played at Tennessee he would be done for the year.
— 🔸 (@HendoCinco) February 21, 2023
So Brandon Miller brought a loaded gun to his teammate at 1:30am on the strip and Bama fans thought he had good intentions?
— Kyle (@AllAubarn) February 21, 2023
Let me get this straight:
Alabama superstar player Brandon Miller was asked for and supplied a gun that resulted in the killing of an innocent 23 year old. Nate Oats & Alabama fans are not only ok with it- but also mad that others are seeing issues with it?
What??
— caleb (@autigerfan22) February 21, 2023
One Response
ACCESSORY TO MURDER ITS THAT SIMPLE