Alabama’s basketball program has been under scrutiny since former player Darius Miles was arrested and charged with capital murder in connection with the fatal shooting of a 23-year-old woman.
Two freshman players, standout guard Brandon Miller — who is projected to be a lottery pick in the 2023 NBA Draft — and guard Jaden Bradley, have been tangentially linked to the case that’s overshadowed Alabama’s season.
Advertisement
Here’s what you need to know about the case. The Athletic will update this story as the situation develops.
What to know
A police investigator alleged Miller brought his then-teammate Miles the gun that was used in the Jan. 15 fatal shooting of Jamea Jonae Harris, the mother of a 5-year-old son. According to law enforcement, Miles texted Miller to bring Miles’ gun to the scene and it was exchanged in Miller’s car. Miller’s attorney issued a statement refuting the report.
Miles and another man were charged with capital murder in connection with the shooting, which police said occurred near the off-campus entertainment district called “The Strip” in Tuscaloosa. Michael Lynn Davis of Maryland, 20, is alleged to have pulled the trigger in the shooting, per court records. Davis is accused of firing the gun into a car in which Harris was a passenger. Harris’ boyfriend, the driver of the car, told police he returned fire in self-defense.
According to multiple reports, Miles’ and Davis’ attorneys have asked that their clients be released on bond and claim they shot in self-defense. The judge reportedly has not ruled on whether they will be granted bond or whether to send the case to a grand jury.
Miles — a junior forward who had been ruled out for the season due to an ankle injury just before the shooting — was removed from the team after his arrest. Miller and Bradley, who investigators reportedly said was also at the scene, have continued to play.
Timeline of events
Feb. 25: Nate Oats says Brandon Miller’s pat-down intro has happened ‘all year’ but ‘not appropriate’
Coach Nate Oats says after Alabama’s win over Arkansas that Brandon Miller’s pregame introduction, which included him appearing to mock getting a pat-down, is “not appropriate” and “will not happen again for the remainder of the year.”
Advertisement
As Miller’s name was announced and he walked through a smoke machine haze, he put his arms out to his sides while a teammate patted his sides from mid-chest to hip.
The introduction was highlighted on social media during Alabama’s first home game since a police investigator alleged that Miller brought his then-teammate Darius Miles the gun that was used in the fatal shooting of Jamea Jonae Harris.
Oats said Saturday that while he is “not involved” in introductions, the team had been doing it “all year.” He added: “Regardless, it was not appropriate and it’s been addressed.”
After being asked by school administrators to keep questions to the game in a postgame news conference — which was delayed by some 40 minutes — one reporter asked if Oats had reached out to the victim’s family.
“I apologize for my comments earlier this week,” Oats said. “But I’m going to follow the administration’s lead on this. They asked me not to talk about it.”
Asked later about Miller’s ability to focus — he had 65 points and 14 rebounds over against Arkansas and South Carolina — Oats said, “It’s like I said before, he is one of if not the most mentally tough kids I’ve coached in my life. He understands that this situation is tragic and he takes it very seriously. He’s been fully cooperative the whole time. But when it comes time to focus on practice and games, he’s got a laser focus and (can) dial in to where his feet are at.”
GO DEEPER
O'Neil: Alabama hasn't benched Brandon Miller. It's time for that to change
Feb. 23: Jamea Harris’ family speaks out
In a story published by AL.com, Harris’ stepfather, Kelvin Heard, spoke about his frustration with Alabama and Nate Oats’ handling of the Brandon Miller situation.
“This season is stained in Jamea’s blood,” Heard says. “After what this coach said, for us as a family, this season is stained in the blood of Jamea Harris and it’s not ever washing out. Coach Oats crossed the line (Tuesday). He said they prayed at practice. They weren’t praying for Jamea. They were praying for their own players.”
Advertisement
DeCarla Cotton, Harris’ mother also told USA Today: “It’s just unimaginable. It’s just like (Miller’s) life is just going on. He took a brief pause and it didn’t stop. It’s like, OK, slap on the wrist and go play ball.”
Feb. 22: Miller’s attorney refutes report; Nate Oats apologizes
Brandon Miller’s attorney issues a statement refuting the report alleging Miller brought his then-teammate Darius Miles the gun that was used in the Jan. 15 shooting.
“Brandon never got out of his vehicle or interacted with anyone in Ms. Harris’ party,” Jim Standridge says. “He was never involved in a verbal altercation with Cedric Johnson or Mr. Davis. Brandon never touched the gun, was not involved in its exchange to Mr. Davis in any way, and never knew that illegal activity involving the gun would occur.”
Alabama also released a statement on Miller.
“UA Athletics continues to cooperate fully with law enforcement in the on-going investigation of this tragic situation,” the statement says. “Based on all the information we have received, Brandon Miller is not considered a suspect in this case, only a cooperative witness. Today’s statement from Brandon’s lawyer adds additional context that the University has considered as part of its review of the facts. Based on all of the facts we have gathered, Brandon remains an active member of our team.”
Later that night, following Alabama’s 78-76 overtime win over South Carolina, coach Nate Oats apologized for his initial response to a question related to Miller’s situation.
“I’m not here to make excuses,” Oats told reporters after the game, in which Miller scored a career-high 41 points. “But I want to make it clear that I didn’t have the details from the hearing that morning since I was coming straight from practice and I used a poor choice of words, making it appear like I wasn’t taking this tragic situation seriously, which we have throughout the course of it. I sincerely apologize for that. I know (athletic director) Greg (Byrne) shared some information earlier today on the situation and I don’t really have anything more to add other than what he’s already shared.”
Advertisement
Feb. 21: Investigator alleges Brandon Miller brought Darius Miles’ gun
A police investigator alleged Brandon Miller brought his then-teammate Darius Miles the gun that was used in the fatal shooting of Jamea Jonae Harris.
According to law enforcement, Miles texted Miller to bring Miles’ gun to the scene and it was exchanged in Miller’s car, the reports said. Alabama freshman guard Jaden Bradley was also at the scene, investigators reportedly said.
Alabama coach Nate Oats says he had known about Miller’s presence since the incident came to light and that Miller is “not in any trouble.”
“We knew about that. Can’t control everything anybody does outside of practice. Nobody knew that was going to happen,” Oats said to reporters. “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.”
In a statement released later that night, Oats clarifies what he calls his “unfortunate remarks” made earlier in the day.
“We were informed by law enforcement of other student-athletes being in the vicinity, and law enforcement has repeatedly told us that no other student-athletes were suspects — they were witnesses only. Our understanding is that they have all been fully truthful and cooperative,” the statement read.
“In no way did I intend to downplay the seriousness of this situation or the tragedy of that night. My prayers continue to go out to Jamea Harris’s family.”
Jan. 15: Darius Miles arrested, charged with capital murder
Miles and another man are arrested and charged with capital murder in connection with an early morning shooting that killed Jamea Jonae Harris, according to court records.
Michael Lynn Davis was the person who pulled the trigger in the shooting, per the records, which also indicated Miles supplied the gun that was used. Davis was accused of firing the gun into a car in which Harris was a passenger.
Advertisement
Per Tuscaloosa Police Capt. Jack Kennedy, campus police near Bryant-Denny Stadium were approached regarding the shooting at around 1:45 a.m. CT on Jan 15.
“First and foremost, we extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the victim from last night’s incident,” Alabama Athletics said in a statement. “We were made aware of the recent charge against student-athlete Darius Miles, and he is no longer a member of the Alabama men’s basketball team. Athletics, in conjunction with the University, is fully cooperating with this investigation.”
Jan. 14: Darius Miles ruled out for the season
Alabama coach Nate Oats announced Darius Miles is out for the season with an ankle injury. The junior forward averaged 1.5 points and 1.5 rebounds across six games this season.
(Photo of Brandon Miller: Andy Lyons / Getty Images)