Shutterstock
Alabama basketball coach Nate Oats received some backlash today after comments made about star guard Brandon Miller.
Oats was discussing the Darius Miles murder trial which Miller has been tied into after it was revealed that he provided the gun used in the murder of 23-year-old Jamea Jonae Harris, the mother of a five-year-old boy. Miller’s car was also involved in the incident and the windshield was struck by multiple bullets.
While speaking to the media, Oats said that Miller is not “in any type of trouble” and that he was simply “in the wrong spot at the wrong time.”
His comments generated immediate criticism due to his nonchalant attitude toward the tragedy — which his star player is now tied to. This evening, Oats issued a statement to clarify his comments and his choice of words.
Nate Oats issues statement: pic.twitter.com/yT2jbt8Lv2
— Mike Rodak (@mikerodak) February 22, 2023
“I thought it was important for me to clarify the unfortunate remarks I made earlier. This entire time I’ve tried to be thoughtful in my words relative to this tragic incident, and my statements came across poorly,” Oats said. “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.”
According to Carol Robinson of al.com, Miller provided the gun that turned into a murder weapon after Miles texted Miller to bring his gun to their location at the time. Alabama freshman Jaden Bradley was also at the scene,
Miles has admitted to then handing the gun to Michael Davis, who fired the deadly shots, according to court records.
