Brandon Miller, Alabama receive backlash as team continues pat-down ritual despite freshman's link to shooting

Police revealed earlier this week that Alabama freshman phenom Brandon Miller has a relationship to a fatal shooting adjacent field past month.

According to police, Miller transported, though ne'er handled, the alleged execution limb to his ex-teammate, Darius Miles. The weapon was legally owned by Miles, who past allegedly gave it to Michael Davis.

Miles and Davis person been charged pinch superior execution successful nan decease of 23-year-old Jamea Jonae Harris. And constabulary opportunity Miller will not beryllium charged.

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Brandon Miller (24) of nan Alabama Crimson Tide is patted down by a teammate during subordinate introductions anterior to tipoff against nan Kentucky Wildcats astatine Coleman Coliseum Jan. 7, 2023, successful Tuscaloosa, Ala.  (Brandon Sumrall/Getty Images)

Because Miller has cooperated pinch rule enforcement and stayed retired of ineligible trouble, he has continued to play for nan team, drafting plentifulness of backlash.

Despite getting a opinionated ovation successful his first location crippled back, Miller still stirred anger elsewhere.

Since nan commencement of nan season, whenever Miller has been introduced arsenic a personnel of nan starting lineup, a teammate pats him down arsenic if Miller were going done security. Despite nan latest revelation, Miller and a teammate continued to ritual and received plentifulness of backlash.

Brandon Miller of nan Alabama Crimson Tide aft defeating nan Auburn Tigers astatine Neville Arena Feb. 11, 2023, successful Auburn, Ala.  (Michael Chang/Getty Images)

"Absolutely unspeakable look for Alabama," OutKick's David Hookstead tweeted.

"At champion reside deaf, astatine worst heartless towards nan victim's family," another Twitter personification wrote.

"If you’re Brandon Miller you’ve gotta deliberation astir astatine slightest ditching nan information pat down intro, no?" another said.

Head coach Nate Oats, who has defended nan determination to proceed playing Miller, addressed nan ritual aft nan crippled and said it will nary longer return place.

"I deliberation that's thing that's been going connected each year. I don't really know. I don't watch our introductions, I'm not progressive pinch them. I'm drafting up plays during that time. Regardless, it's not appropriate, it's been addressed and I tin guarantee you it decidedly will not hap again nan remainder of this year,'" Oats said.

ESPN’S JAY BILAS DEFENDS ALABAMA’S HANDLING OF BRANDON MILLER SITUATION AMID SHOOTING LINK

Head coach Nate Oats gives coaching proposal to Brandon Miller (24) of nan Alabama Crimson Tide during a timeout against nan LSU Tigers astatine Coleman Coliseum Jan. 14, 2023, successful Tuscaloosa, Ala.  (Brandon Sumrall/Getty Images)

Miller is considered a witness, not a suspect, successful nan murder.

"On January 14th, Brandon played successful a hoops crippled successful nan day and later was asked by Darius Miles for a thrust to nan Strip area to spell to a nightclub," Miller's attorney, Jim Standridge, said in a statement, via nan Tuscaloosa Patch. 

"Mr. Miles brought his ineligible handgun and near it successful nan backseat of Brandon’s vehicle. Brandon ne'er saw nan handgun nor handled it. Further, it is our knowing that nan limb was concealed nether immoderate clothing successful nan backseat of his car."

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Despite receiving chants of "lock him up" earlier this week astatine South Carolina, Miller dropped 41 points, including nan game-winning shot, successful a 78-76 overtime victory. He is apt to beryllium a top-five prime successful this summer's NBA Draft and could moreover spell successful nan apical three.