Brandon Miller is set to begin his NBA career this week, but a recent lawsuit has brought attention back to his college days.
The rookie, who was selected second overall by the Charlotte Hornets in the 2023 NBA Draft, has been named as a defendant in a federal lawsuit regarding the shooting death of a woman in Tuscaloosa during his time at Alabama, according to ESPN.
The lawsuit, filed by the woman’s family, also targets former Alabama player Darius Miles and Michael Davis, who face capital murder charges related to the shooting death of 23-year-old Jamea Jonae Harris on Jan. 15.
Despite being implicated as the provider of the gun involved, Miller was not charged with a crime. Prosecutors found it difficult to prove that he knew the gun would be used in a crime when he delivered it to a downtown Tuscaloosa nightclub.
The lawsuit accuses Miles, Davis, and Miller of negligence for bringing a dangerous weapon to the scene, resulting in harm and ultimately Harris’ death.
Miller faced no official consequences at Alabama, but the incident loomed over his time as a college player. Despite the scrutiny, he thrived on the court and helped lead Alabama to the NCAA Tournament’s top seed, only to be upset by San Diego State in the Sweet Sixteen.
During the NBA Draft process, Miller fielded questions about the incident and acknowledged it as a learning experience. However, it did not deter the Hornets from selecting him and signing him to a lucrative $9 million contract.
The family’s attorneys, including Kirby D. Farris, have expressed a desire to hear the defendants provide testimony and answer questions about the events that took place. They hope to uncover more details about the gun’s presence at the confrontation that resulted in Harris’ death:
“They would like to hear testimony from all three of the young men involved concerning what they did, said and saw,” Farris said. “The family would like the opportunity, through their attorneys, to investigate why and how the gun was brought to the scene of a confrontation that resulted in the death of their daughter. Once we have had the opportunity to evaluate the evidence in the case, we can make decisions about the degree of culpability, if any, of each.”
On the court, Miller’s performance in the Summer League was cut short, and he struggled during the preseason. However, he remains optimistic as he prepares to embark on his NBA journey with the Hornets, who will tip off their season against the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday.
