Alabama Basketball: Some thoughts on Brandon Miller and Nate Oats

Tuesday was difficult for the Alabama Basketball program, Brandon Miller, Jaden Bradley and Nate Oats. The sports media world latched on to details from a preliminary hearing for Darius Miles.

Miles and his friend, Michael Lynn Davis are accused of capital murder in the shooting death of 23-year-old Jamea Harris. According to multiple reports, the shooter was Davis, using a gun belonging to Miles. On Tuesday, his attorney argued Davis fired in self-defense. Whoever fired first, Davis was wounded and Jamea Harris, the mother of a five-year-old was shot and died.

A judge and jury will eventually decide guilt and punishment. Eventually was not soon enough yesterday, and again today, as blame was widely passed on Brandon Miller’s role and comments made by Nate Oats.

Much of the media coverage has been irresponsible, led by some who have mastered the art of riling people up in order to gain esteem and profit. In direct contrast, facts still matter, regardless of how many choose to disdain them.

Police investigators and witnesses have facts about the horrid event. Reportedly there are many angles of video evidence showing what happened. Miller and Bradley were interviewed by the police. Neither was charged with a crime because police determined nothing they did warranted criminal action.

From multiple, believed to be credible sources, Miller had dropped off Miles and Davis at a bar, a few hours before the shooting. Miles apparently left a gun in Miller’s car. Later, Miles texted Miller to bring him his gun because he was being threatened. Miller and Bradley, in separate cars, met Miles, who took the gun from Miller’s car and gave it to Davis.

What followed was senseless violence with horrible consequences. A life was lost. Multiple lives have been ruined. It is easy to say it should not have happened. Sadly, it is not shocking that it did. Whatever side someone is on about gun laws, it can be agreed alcohol and guns don’t mix, especially in the hands of young men.

Brandon Miller can be fairly accused of tragically bad judgment in coming to the aid of a teammate. Based on police statements he cannot be accused of lying to the police about what happened, or of any crime.

Nate Oats talked about the event and Brandon Miller on Tuesday, saying Miller had never before been in any trouble and what happened was his freshman star was in the,

"Wrong spot at the wrong time"

While there is no doubting Oats’ concern about the tragedy, the statement came across as hollow. Later, he clarified, saying,

"This entire time I’ve tried to be thoughtful in my words relative to this tragic incident, and my statements came across poorly.We were informed by law enforcement of other student-athletes being in the vicinity, and law enforcement has repeatedly told us that no other student-athletes were suspects — they were witnesses only. Our understanding is that they have all been fully truthful and cooperative.In no way did I intend to downplay the seriousness of this situation or the tragedy of that night. My prayers continue to go out to Jamea Harris’s family."

The statement did little to lessen negative comments from people in the media. Nate Oats needed to clarify. He was ill-prepared to talk about the subject on Tuesday. That is less his fault and more the fault of the University of Alabama Athletic Department and others from the school, including possible legal counsel who advised what not to say.

Alabama Basketball Moving Forward

Rightly or wrongly, Alabama Basketball must move forward. For those most heavily impacted it is impossible to move on. We can however not get on the bandwagon of those masquerading as judge and jury and hope justice will be done and something will be learned from the tragedy.