Getty Image / Allen Flanigan
Alabama freshman forward Brandon Miller has been in the news this week for his involvement in a deadly January 15th shooting where teammate Darius Miles allegedly shot and killed 23-year-old Jamea Harris in Tuscaloosa.
Details came out this week that Miller allegedly drove Miles’ gun to Miles shortly before the shooting. Prosecutors have stated that Miller did not break any laws and is not a suspect for any crimes.
Still, there was a ton of outrage on social media this week when it became apparent that Alabama Coach Nate Oats would allow Miller to play this week.
Play he did. There’s no doubt that Miller playing is morally questionable. But, it’s also without question that he was dynamite Wednesday night against South Carolina. Miller had 41 points and 8 rebounds on 14/25 shooting. And, he had the game-tying and game-winning baskets. #2 Alabama won 78-76.
What a bucket by Brandon Miller!
Rejects the screen going left, push dribble, and tough finish to tie it at 68. Delivers once again pic.twitter.com/oYu3fIVO7T
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) February 23, 2023
Brandon Miller dropped an unbelievable 41 points tonight despite being allegedly connected to a murder 👀 pic.twitter.com/PSRFfpx98T
— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) February 23, 2023
Man, if it wasn’t for the very bad stuff he is allegedly involved in, it would have been a legendary performance. But, Miller may have done the Streisand Effect on himself here. Him going off for 41 is only going to make everyone talk about him more tomorrow.
Here is what Twitter is saying.
brandon miller had to deal with all the outside noise the last 48 hours at 20 years old and went out and dropped 41 and a game winner. absolutely unreal performance and mental fortitude
— matthias (@matthias__meyer) February 23, 2023
.@AlabamaMBB won as BRANDON MILLER had 41 in ot W vs Gamecocks despite the controversy where many included me felt he should have been suspended until all the facts from police analysis r reported to determine if he had any role in the SENSELESS murder of JAMEA JONAE HARRIS .
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) February 23, 2023
Brandon Miller got outed as an accessory to murder and then 24 hours later goes out and drops 40 I’m sick😭😭😭
— Jake Taylor (@RamFanatic69) February 23, 2023
This is such a terrible situation all around. Thoughts go to the Harris family, whose death was far too premature.