Despite a tremendous win-loss record, the Crimson Tide’s season will likely be marred by off-court mistakes.
The University of Alabama men’s basketball team ended their season on a disappointing note after an upset by San Diego State in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament on March 24. Alabama fans will likely remember this season for the ethical missteps of several players and coaches.
While the Crimson Tide basketball team enjoyed tremendous success on the court, finishing with 31 wins and only four losses, the team’s off-the-court activities were riddled with controversy. On Jan. 17, Alabama junior forward Darius Miles and his friend Michael Lynn Davis, who is not affiliated with the team, were charged with the murder of 23-year-old Birmingham resident Jamea Harris, which had occurred two days prior.
Davis and Harris’ boyfriend, Cedric Johnson, allegedly had a verbal confrontation on Jan. 15 in the parking lot of a Tuscaloosa bar. As Johnson and Harris drove away from the establishment, Davis fired shots into their car, struck Harris in the face, and ultimately killed her.
Davis and Johnson mutually exchanged gunfire, according to Tuscaloosa PD Detective Brendan Culpepper, but Davis fired the first shots with Miles’ gun.
Miles was immediately dismissed from the Alabama team, and he and Davis were officially indicted on capital murder charges by the Tuscaloosa Police on March 17.
On Feb. 21, the situation became more complex when it was revealed that star freshman forward Brandon Miller was at the crime scene and allegedly delivered the murder weapon to Miles.
Miller’s presence at the crime scene became one of the biggest stories within the basketball world due to his impressive season for the Tide, as he averaged 19 points and eight rebounds while shooting 42% from three-point range.
Miller had allegedly dropped off Miles at a bar earlier in the day, and Miles left his gun in Brandon’s car. After receiving a text from Miles that read, "I need my joint a n---- rl just got da fakin," Miller returned to the bar and gave the gun to his teammate moments before Michael Davis used it in Harris’ murder, according to police reports.
Miller and his teammate Jaden Bradley, who was also at the scene, were ultimately cleared of any legal wrongdoing by the Tuscaloosa Police Department.
"Based on all the information we have received, Brandon Miller is not considered a suspect in this case, only a cooperative witness,” according to a statement released by the University of Alabama.
“It doesn’t appear evidence exists that Miller knew that transferring the firearm was for an unlawful purpose, hindsight notwithstanding,” former U.S attorney Jay Town told AL.com. “Therefore, no (conspiracy or aiding and abetting) would apply.’’
As a result, Alabama head coach Nate Oats chose not to suspend Miller, a move that drew the ire of fans and pundits alike.
“[Brandon] was in the wrong spot at the time,” said Oats.
Oats would later apologize for the statement, referring to it as a “poor choice of words.”
While Miller’s presence at the crime scene did not dramatically affect his career at Alabama, it remains to be seen whether or not it will affect his stock in the upcoming NBA draft, which he recently declared for.
Based on talent alone, according to basketball pundits, Miller is widely expected to be one of the first players selected in the draft.
“Brandon Miller has been the best [college] player in the country. He should be the number one pick,” said NBA Hall-of-Famer Charles Barkley on his podcast The Steam Room.
After speaking with several NBA front-office members, NBC Sports’ Kurt Helin concluded that “this situation ultimately will have little to no impact on Miller’s draft status.”
While Miller appears to be set to become a top-3 pick and receive a multi-million dollar contract, Jamea Harris’ family is left to cover the cost of her funeral, and her two children are set to grow up without a mother.