TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Alabama trainer Nate Oats apologized and took duty for permitting freshman ahead Brandon Miller to proceed going via a pat-down throughout pregame introductions.
Miller had won the pat-down upon his advent neatly prior to the Jan. 15 arrest of then-teammate Darius Miles and any other guy on capital homicide fees within the taking pictures dying of 23-year-old Jamea Harris. Then, police testimony ultimate week accused the second-ranked Pink Tide’s largest famous person of turning in Miles’ gun, regardless that his legal professional stated he by no means treated it and didn’t understand it was once going for use for a criminal offense.
“That scenario’s on me,” Oats stated on Tuesday of the pregame ritual. “We addressed it as a group. Once I introduced it as much as them, they right away understood the way it might be interpreted, and all of us felt terrible about it.
“They defined to me that it’s like when TSA exams you while you get on a airplane. And now Brandon’s cleared for takeoff. We because the adults within the room must had been extra delicate to how it will had been interpreted. I dropped the ball. That’s it, I dropped the ball on it. I will guarantee you it gained’t occur once more.”
Miller, who has began each and every sport, hasn’t been charged and the college stated he’s a cooperating witness, no longer a suspect.
The Tide can clinch the Southeastern Convention common season identify outright with a win Wednesday evening in opposition to rival Auburn. Miller is the SEC’s main scorer and fifth-leading rebounder, averaging 19.7 issues and eight.0 rebounds according to sport.
He scored 41 issues in opposition to South Carolina an afternoon after the court testimony linking Miller to the scene, after which added 24 in opposition to Arkansas. Miller wasn’t named SEC participant of the week or freshman of the week.
Oats was once requested if he felt backlash is affecting Miller’s possibilities for in-season or postseason accolades, and stated he didn’t know the solution.
“Within the SEC, they’ve were given to make difficult choices each and every week as to who will get it,” he stated. “There was once nice gamers that were given the award. Brandon had a just right week. I’m certain he’ll get awards shifting ahead. We’ll cope with that because it comes up.”