Brandon Miller explains why he didn't enter NBA Draft amid legal issues

Alabama freshman basketball star Brandon Miller is widely expected to be a Top 5 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft later this year. When he was linked to the alleged murder of Jamea Harris in mid-January, the idea that he might just withdraw from school and prep for the draft seemed plausible.

Instead, Miller stayed with the Alabama program — one that has done its own share of work to shield him during the ongoing criminal case, which he has not been charged in. Explaining his decision to keep with the Crimson Tide (at his first media availability since he was revealed to be involved in the shooting), Miller said it wasn’t much of a thought to him to do otherwise.

“I mean, I hear a lot of people in ears, with chants. I just lean on these guys next to me. Just build me up to the person that I am now,” Miller said.

Brandon Miller makes first public comments on death of Jamea Harris

Miller made his first public comments since the death of Jamea Harris. Miller’s former teammate Darius Miles was allegedly involved and Miller allegedly brought the weapon used in the crime.

Miller was never criminally charged and played amid criticism of the Alabama basketball program and head coach Nate Oats. Since then, Miller did not speak publicly about the tragedy.

Ahead of Alabama’s SEC Tournament game later this week, Miller spoke with reporters regarding Harris.

“I never lose sight of the fact a family has lost one of their loved ones that night,” Miller said, via Tony Tsoukalas. “This whole situation is really heartbreaking.”

As far as playing amid the overhanging story, he gave a clear answer.

“I just lean on my teammates,” Miller said. “We just go places to get wins.”

AL.com’s Carol Robinson reported the testimony, which revealed Miller’s involvement. When Miller arrived on the scene of the January shooting, Miles told Michael Davis — who allegedly pulled the trigger and killed Jamea Harris — “the heat is in the hat.” That, according to Det. Brandon Culpepper, meant a gun was on the scene. Then, Miles said “there’s one in the head,” which meant a round was in the chamber. Jaden Bradley was also on the scene, according to the testimony.

Police also testified Miller’s windshield was hit twice by gunfire. Tuscaloosa chief deputy district attorney Paula Whitley also spoke with AL.com about why he didn’t receive any charges in the case, which saw Miles get charged with capital murder.

“That’s not a question I can answer,” Whitley told Robinson. “There’s nothing we could charge with him according to the law.”

Court records previously revealed Miles provided the gun used in the shooting and Davis pulled the trigger

Oats admitted that he didn’t know how the controversy would affect Miller going forward. However, he did say that they’ll handle that as it happens.

“Brandon had a good week, I’m sure that he’ll get awards moving forward,” Oats said earlier this month. We’ll address that as it comes up, but I don’t know the answer to the second part of your question, to be honest with you.”