Embattled Alabama star takes top SEC awards in midst of gun controversy

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Alabama freshman Brandon Miller was named the player of the year and the newcomer of the year in the SEC by The Associated Press on Tuesday. 

Miller, who has been shrouded in controversy over the past several weeks, is only the fourth freshman in the past 50 years to lead the SEC in scoring, averaging 19.6 points per game. 

Brandon Miller, #24 of the Alabama Crimson Tide, flies to the basket for a slam-dunk during the second half against the Florida Gators at Coleman Coliseum on Feb. 8, 2023 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Brandon Sumrall/Getty Images)

He is also averaging 8 rebounds per game while leading the SEC in made three-pointers with 93. 

Miller is linked to the January shooting death of 23-year-old Jamea Jonae Harris after police testimony alleged that he transported former teammate Darius Miles’ gun that was used in the shooting. 

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Miller’s attorney, Jim Standridge, released a statement in February clarifying that the freshman standout "never saw the handgun" belonging to Miles, who has since been charged with capital murder in the shooting death of Harris near the university’s campus in January.

"On January 14th, Brandon played in a basketball game in the afternoon and later was asked by Darius Miles for a ride to the Strip area to go to a nightclub," the statement read, via the Tuscaloosa Patch. 

Brandon Miller, #24, listens to  Alabama Crimson Tide head Coach Nate Oats during a timeout during a basketball game against the South Carolina Gamecocks on Feb. 22, 2023 at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina. (David Jensen/Icon