alabama men’s basketball Coach Nate Oats has vowed that Brandon Miller’s controversial pregame frisking ritual won’t happen again, but that hasn’t prompted the standout freshman to delete the images from his social media.
Miller, 20, was identified this week in police testimony as the person who transported the weapon belonging to former teammate Darius Miles that was used in the January murder of 23-year-old Jamea Jonae Harris.
Brandon Miller listens to head coach Nate Oats of the Alabama Crimson Tide during a South Carolina Gamecocks game on February 22, 2023 at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia. (David Jensen/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Miller’s attorney has said he was unaware at the time that he was in possession of the gun, which has cleared the way for Alabama to allow him to continue playing for the Crimson Tide.
BRANDON MILLER, AL GETS BACKBACK AS TEAM CONTINUES PAT-DOWN RITUAL DESPITE FRESHMAN’S LINK TO SHOOTING
In his first game back since being named in police testimony, Miller scored a career-high 41 points in Alabama’s overtime win over South Carolina Wednesday night. At his home opener on Saturday, Miller received a standing ovation.
But the star freshman created controversy elsewhere when he went through with a pregame ritual of being patted down by a teammate after being announced for the starting lineup.
Oats, who has defended the university’s decision to allow Miller to continue playing, addressed the issue after the game, saying it was something that had been done previously all season, but would not continue because of the shooting.
Crimson Tide’s Brandon Miller is frisked by a teammate during player introductions before a Kentucky Wildcats game at Coleman Coliseum on January 7, 2023 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Brandon Sumrall/Getty Images)
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«I think that’s something that’s been going on all year. I don’t really know. I don’t watch our pitches, I’m not involved with them. I’m making plays during that time. It’s not appropriate anyway.» , has been addressed and I can assure you that it definitely won’t happen again for the rest of this year.»
While Oats has taken a strong stance against the introduction, Miller still has a picture on his social media.
The main image on Miller’s Twitter as of Sunday morning is the introduction of the pat-down. It was not immediately clear when Miller made the photo the main image of him, but it hasn’t changed since Saturday night’s controversy.
The Crimson Tide’s Brandon Miller after defeating the Tigers at Neville Arena on February 11, 2023 in Auburn, Alabama. (Michael Chang/Getty Images)
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Miller’s attorney, Jim Standridge, released a statement earlier this week saying Miller «never saw the gun» that was hidden in the back of his car and was already on his way to Miles when he received a text from him. about the firearm.
«Brandon does not own a firearm and has never handled a firearm,» the statement read. «Furthermore, he was not aware of any attempt to use any weapons.»