Alabama basketball star freshman, Brandon Miller, has been in the spotlight recently after it was revealed that he brought the gun used in a January killing in Tuscaloosa by teammate Darius Miles.
Despite this, Miller has escaped charges and remained on the team, with some attributing this to his likely lottery pick status in the 2023 NBA Draft. During pregame introductions, Miller’s teammate could be seen jokingly patting him down, as if looking for weapons, which has become a regular part of Miller’s introduction act.
However, this ritual is drawing criticism after the revelation of Miller’s involvement in the shooting. To make matters worse, as of Sunday morning, no one had advised Miller to change his Twitter picture, which depicts him being frisked before a game.
Alabama basketball coach Nate Oats has faced criticism for his handling of the situation, including his initial insensitive comments that Miller was in the “wrong place at the wrong time” regarding the shooting. Oats has since apologized for his remarks, but the incident with Miller’s pregame introduction has brought renewed attention to the situation.
Despite the controversy, Miller has not faced any charges or known punishment from the team. Alabama athletic department and basketball program have also been criticized for their lack of media savvy and common sense in handling the situation.
An Alabama player frisked Brandon Miller, who drove a loaded hand gun to the murder scene of a young woman last month, when he was introduced before today’s game against Arkansas. pic.twitter.com/lESveGGdLu
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) February 25, 2023
During Alabama’s first home game since the shooting revelation, Miller was still included in his usual pregame introduction act, which included his teammate jokingly patting him down. The situation has drawn widespread criticism, with many questioning Alabama’s public relations and media coaching.
However, Oats has taken a proactive approach in addressing the controversy, bringing up the incident himself during his press conference and getting out in front of the issue.
The shooting incident has put a damper on what should be an exciting time for Miller, as his talent on the court is still highly regarded and he is expected to be a top pick in the upcoming NBA draft. However, the controversy surrounding his involvement in the shooting has raised questions about his character and judgment, which could impact his future prospects.
It remains to be seen how the situation will play out, but for now, Miller remains a key player for the Alabama basketball team.
Overall, the situation with Brandon Miller has drawn widespread attention and criticism, highlighting the importance of media coaching and public relations in handling controversial issues.
Alabama basketball coach Nate Oats has faced criticism for his handling of the situation, but his proactive approach in addressing the issue during his press conference is a step in the right direction. However, there are still many questions surrounding Miller’s involvement in the shooting and his future prospects as an NBA player.