Brandon Miller has received threats, accompanied by armed guard at NCAA tournament
Alabama men’s basketball coach Nate Oats confirmed Wednesday that star forward Brandon Miller is being accompanied by an armed security guard after receiving threats.
The guard, who was carrying a gun, was visible at Alabama’s afternoon news conference featuring Miller and its practice open to fans inside Legacy Arena.
“If you guys saw some of what I’ve seen sent his way, I think you would understand why that’s the case,” Oats said. “I don’t want to get into all of that. The entire situation, as you know, is just heartbreaking on all accounts.
“But some of the messages from people that can sit behind fake email addresses, but who knows whether they’re real or not, that I’ve seen -- something that nobody would ever want their son [to receive]. I treat my players like my own sons -- I don’t have a son, I have three daughters, but I put myself in his parent’s shoes -- and our administration has seen the stuff that I’ve seen, and it’s appropriate.
“It’s nothing that a college kid should have to go through. If you were able to see what I’ve seen then you would understand why that’s going on right now.
When asked about the guard, Miller said, “I feel like we always travel with security. That’s all I’m going to be able to say about that.”
Miller’s name surfaced during a Feb. 21 court hearing for former teammate Darius Miles’ capital murder charge. Law enforcement testified that Miles texted Miller to bring his gun to the scene of the eventual shooting, although Miller’s attorney said Miller had no knowledge of Miles’ intent. Miller is considered a witness and not a suspect by police.
Alabama men’s basketball coach Nate Oats confirmed Wednesday that star forward Brandon Miller is being accompanied by an armed security guard after receiving threats.
The guard, who was carrying a gun, was visible at Alabama’s afternoon news conference featuring Miller and its practice open to fans inside Legacy Arena.
“If you guys saw some of what I’ve seen sent his way, I think you would understand why that’s the case,” Oats said. “I don’t want to get into all of that. The entire situation, as you know, is just heartbreaking on all accounts.
“But some of the messages from people that can sit behind fake email addresses, but who knows whether they’re real or not, that I’ve seen -- something that nobody would ever want their son [to receive]. I treat my players like my own sons -- I don’t have a son, I have three daughters, but I put myself in his parent’s shoes -- and our administration has seen the stuff that I’ve seen, and it’s appropriate.
“It’s nothing that a college kid should have to go through. If you were able to see what I’ve seen then you would understand why that’s going on right now.
When asked about the guard, Miller said, “I feel like we always travel with security. That’s all I’m going to be able to say about that.”
Miller’s name surfaced during a Feb. 21 court hearing for former teammate Darius Miles’ capital murder charge. Law enforcement testified that Miles texted Miller to bring his gun to the scene of the eventual shooting, although Miller’s attorney said Miller had no knowledge of Miles’ intent. Miller is considered a witness and not a suspect by police.
