NBA prospect and former Alabama star Brandon Miller said he will not face any charges related to a fatal shooting near the Tuscaloosa campus on Jan. 15, nor does he think the tragedy will affect his chances at Thursday’s draft in Brooklyn.
The 20-year-old SEC Player of the Year was linked to the shooting death of 23-year-old Jamea Harris earlier this year after Tuscaloosa police testified that Miller gave teammate Darius Miles a handgun, which was eventually used by another. , Michael Lynn Davis, for killing the woman.
Although Miles and Davis remain in jail awaiting trial on capital murder charges, Miller has not been arrested in the case. His attorney said he never handled a firearm and had no idea a shot would be fired. Miller’s coach, Nate Oates, said it was a case of ‘wrong spot, wrong time’.
Speaking to reporters in Manhattan on Wednesday, the 20-year-old initially declined to talk about the shooting (‘That’s one thing I can’t say here’), but said he did not expect to be charged.
If the draft order holds in the absence of a trade, Miller is expected to be taken second overall by the Charlotte Hornets or third overall by the Portland Trail Blazers. And as far as shooting affecting his draft status, the 6-foot-9 forward said he still expects to be among the first players taken Thursday night.
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Miller said Wednesday that he will not face charges related to a Jan. 15 fatal shooting
Jamea Harris (left), a 23-year-old mother, was shot Jan. 14 near the University of Alabama campus. Crimson Tide forward Darius Miles (right) has been charged with his murder
“NBA teams had their backgrounds on me and they knew I was a great guy, great character,” Miller said. ‘I don’t think they’re really worried about the character part of it now. I think it’s just basketball now.’
And as far as basketball goes, Miller doesn’t have much to worry about.
Although he disappointed in the NCAA Tournament, scoring just nine points in a Sweet 16 loss to top-seeded Alabama San Diego State, Miller was arguably the nation’s top player in 2022-23.
Not only did he average 18.8 points a night with 8.2 rebounds and 85.9-percent shooting from the free-throw line, but Miller also made 38.4 percent of his 3-point attempts, which bodes well for his potential. next level.
The shooting took place along a busy street of bars and restaurants in Tuscaloosa (pictured).
It is not yet clear where he will play.
Both Charlotte and Portland have elite point guards, which could make Scoot Henderson — Miller’s main rival for the second pick — redundant on both rosters. That predicament has led to plenty of trade rumors surrounding the second and third picks, when Miller is expected to be drafted.
The Hornets still did their due diligence, though, inviting Miller to a workout attended by none other than Michael Jordan, who was the majority owner at the time. The Chicago Bulls legend has since sold most of his stake to Gabe Plotkin pending league approval.
‘No, I wasn’t really [nervous],’ Miller said Wednesday. ‘I can see why [you would think so], because he’s Michael Jordan, but to be honest, I saw him as just a regular person in the room, just watching me work. But just knowing that he’s Michael Jordan, he’s not just a regular person, actually inspired me.
‘He’s a great friend. He makes you feel at home, so he doesn’t try to put any pressure on you.’
Miller recently worked for the Hornets and team minority owner Michael Jordan (pictured).
Best part: Talking trash with Jordan.
“Meeting him was probably the best thing I’ve ever done to talk trash,” Miller said. ‘I have one up on him: he airballed a free throw.’
Jordan emphasized work ethic in his meeting with Miller, who said he got the same message from his parents growing up in Tennessee.
Miller also said he models his game after the Los Angeles Clippers’ Paul George, who he thinks is better than LeBron James.
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