Following a profession evening in opposition to South Carolina, Alabama star freshman Brandon Miller was a serious subject of dialog on Thursday.
Miller has been linked to the demise of Jamea Harris in January after police testimony tied his involvement by allegedly transporting former teammate Darius Miles’ gun that was used within the taking pictures.
Nick Pringle, #23, talks to Brandon Miller, #24, of the Alabama Crimson Tide as they stroll again to the bench throughout a basketball recreation in opposition to the South Carolina Gamecocks on Feb. 22, 2023 at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina. (David Jensen/Icon Sportswire through Getty Images)
Amid chants of “lock him up” in opposition to the Gamecocks, Miller scored career-high 41 factors within the 78-76 extra time Alabama win.
ALABAMA’S BRANDON MILLER SCORES CAREER-HIGH OF 41 POINTS IN OT VICTORY AMID ALLEGED TIES TO FATAL SHOOTING
On Thursday, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith mentioned Miller’s evening on “First Take,” applauding his on-court efficiency whereas disagreeing with him attending to play amid the controversy.
“I will applaud Brandon Miller the basketball player, from the standpoint that to endure what he was enduring last night,” Smith stated. “And to go out there as a freshman and to put on that show on the road, absolutely showed a level of mental toughness that I believe NBA scouts, people on the next level will look at – assuming there’s nothing that comes from this from a legal perspective for him – they’ll look at that level of mental toughness and find a way to applaud that.”
Stephen A. Smith attends SiriusXM At Super Bowl LVII on Feb. 9, 2023 in Phoenix. (Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM)
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“But as a young man, I want Brandon Miller to think about this – you didn’t pull the trigger, you didn’t shoot anybody, and it’s important to say that,” Smith continued. “But it’s also important to say this – if you didn’t have that firearm to provide for Darius Miles and the person that he was with, a 23-year-old young lady probably would still be alive. And for you to have anything to do with that, it’s something that should make it very, very, very difficult for you to sleep at night as opposed to pumping your chest at people who were booing you.”
Miller’s legal professional, Jim Standridge, launched a press release hours earlier than tipoff clarifying that the freshman standout “never saw the handgun” belonging to Miles, who has since been charged with capital homicide within the taking pictures demise of Harris close to the college’s campus in January.
“On January 14th, Brandon played in a basketball game in the afternoon and later was asked by Darius Miles for a ride to the Strip area to go to a nightclub,” the assertion learn, through the Tuscaloosa Patch.
Brandon Miller, #24 of the Alabama Crimson Tide, after defeating the Auburn Tigers at Neville Arena on Feb. 11, 2023 in Auburn, Alabama. (Michael Chang/Getty Images)
“Mr. Miles brought his legal handgun and left in the backseat of Brandon’s vehicle. Brandon never saw the handgun nor handled it. Further it is our understanding that the weapon was concealed under some clothing in the back seat of his car.”
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The assertion went on to say that as an alternative of going contained in the nightclub, Miller left to go get meals. He was later contacted by Miles to select him up and go to a special location and whereas he was already on the way in which, Miller acquired a textual content from Miles asking him “to bring him his firearm.”
Gregory Jackson II, #23 of the South Carolina Gamecocks, defends Brandon Miller, #24 of the Alabama Crimson Tide, as he drives to the basket throughout a basketball recreation on Feb. 22, 2023 at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina. (David Jensen/Icon Sportswire through Getty Images)
Miller’s legal professional claimed that he by no means “interacted with anyone in Ms. Harris’ party” or Michael Lynn Davis, who can also be charged with capital homicide. He additionally disputed a declare that Miller’s car blocked the trail of the automobile that Harris was a passenger in on the time of the taking pictures.
Miller has not been charged with any crime.
In a January assertion to Fox News Digital, Miles “maintains his innocence” and is “heartbroken” for the household of the sufferer, his attorneys stated.
Fox News’ Paulina Dedaj contributed to this report