Brandon Miller discusses his message to NBA teams about night of Jamea Harris’ murder

Speaking Wednesday for the first time in a news conference since Alabama’s basketball season ended in the NCAA tournament March 24, former Tide forward Brandon Miller shared his message to NBA teams as he readies to become one of the draft’s top picks next month.

“The message I’ve presented to them is just it’s all a lesson learned,” Miller said to a group of reporters at the NBA draft combine, according to USA Today. “You always have to be aware of your surroundings and what you’re surrounded by.

“I feel like that night could’ve changed my career in less that a heartbeat. Just always be aware of your surroundings.”

Asked a follow-up question if he would have done anything differently the night of Jamea Harris’ murder in Tuscaloosa in January, Miller responded, “Like I said, just be more aware of my surroundings and what I’m surrounded by. I think it could have changed the whole night.”

When Miller made his first public comments March 8 about the murder, the freshman said he found the situation “really heartbreaking” but when asked specifically about his message to NBA teams said, “Can’t really speak on what they be getting. I just kind of control what I can control now.”

Pressed further about the murder at the SEC tournament and NCAA tournament, Miller generally deflected the questions by saying he could not speak on it and was “leaning on his teammates.”

Now with Alabama’s season over and Miller’s teammates scattered, Wednesday’s brief comments represented the most in-depth perspective Miller has offered about the murder.

Miller is considered the top college player available for the NBA’s June 22 draft. He was projected Tuesday night by ESPN to be taken No. 2 overall by the Charlotte Hornets after the NBA’s draft lottery decided the order of the top 14 picks.

The five-star recruit was the star of Alabama’s basketball team last season as a freshman, earning multiple national freshman of the year honors in addition to becoming a consensus second-team All-America and the SEC’s player of the year.

Miller spent the final month of his season under a cloud of national media attention after law enforcement revealed during February court testimony that Miller had contact with then-teammate Darius Miles the night of Harris’ murder Jan. 15. Miles texted Miller to drive Miles’ gun to the scene, and it was later retrieved from Miller’s car before it was allegedly used by Davis to fire the shot that killed Harris.

Miller is considered a witness and not a suspect in the case. Miles and his friend Michael Davis were both charged with capital murder and await trial.

The day of the February testimony, Alabama coach Nate Oats said Miller was in the “wrong spot at the wrong time,” comments that were immediately panned. Oats apologized for his wording and Alabama athletics director Greg Byrne later said Oats’ comments were not informed by the details of the court hearing.

Miller is joined by Noah Clowney, another freshman for Alabama last season, as projected first round picks in next month’s NBA draft. Guard Mark Sears, center Charles Bediako and guard Jahvon Quinerly also entered their names into the draft pool but have until May 31 to withdraw and return to school.

Mike Rodak is an Alabama beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @mikerodak.