Alabama Crimson Tide freshman Brandon Miller made a surprising entrance into Saturday’s basketball game against the Arkansas Razorbacks, spreading his arms wide as a team mate acted as if he was patting him down. The pregame ritual was perhaps a playful attempt to lighten the mood, but it was not well received, especially given Miller’s recent connections to a murder investigation.
The freshman guard was recently alleged to have delivered the gun used in a shooting that killed Jamea Harris on January 15th. While prosecutors decided not to charge Miller with a crime due to a lack of evidence that he was aware the gun would be used criminally, many still take issue with the fact that Miller is still playing on the team.
When Miller’s name was announced during the starting lineup, the crowd erupted in cheers, but the pregame ritual eventually garnered attention. Head coach Nate Oats addressed the ritual in a press conference after the game. “Before I get started on the game, it was brought to my attention after the game about our pregame introductions. I think that’s something that’s been going on all year. I don’t really know,” Oats stated. “Regardless, it’s not appropriate, it’s been addressed and I can assure you it will not happen again for the remainder of this year.”
The parents of Jamea Harris, DeCarla Cotton and her husband Delvin Heard, have been vocal about their dismay to see Miller on the court and have had their focus on their grandson, Kaine. Cotton has spoken out about how Kaine’s mother will no longer be there to influence his growing up.
It’s clear that the Alabama Crimson Tide still have a lot of work to do to repair the damage that has been done here. While Miller is still able to compete, it is important that the team takes the investigation seriously and recognizes the magnitude of the situation. The pregame ritual seemed to be a way of trying to lighten the mood, but it only served to highlight the gravity of the situation and the need for sensitivity.
