Alabama men's basketball coach Nate Oats apologized Tuesday evening for comments he made earlier that day regarding one of his player's alleged involvement in a shooting that took place last month.
After Darius Miles and Michael Davis were charged with capital murder related to the fatal shooting of Jamea Jonae Harris near campus on January 15, more details emerged during a bond hearing Tuesday implicating star player Brandon Miller and freshman Jaden Bradly may have also been involved, though neither has been charged.
According to AL.com, police testified Miller delivered the murder weapon to Miles and used his car to block in the victim. When asked about Miller's actions, Coach Oats said he was in the "wrong spot at the wrong time."
"We knew about that," he continued. "Can't control everything anybody does outside of practice. Nobody knew that was going to happen. College kids are out. Brandon hasn't been in any type of trouble, nor is he in any type of trouble in this case. Wrong spot at the wrong time."
Nate Oats: "We knew about that. Can’t control everything everybody does outside of practice. Nobody knew that was going to happen. ... Brandon hasn’t been in any type of trouble nor is he in any type of trouble in this case. Wrong spot at the wrong time." pic.twitter.com/6G2Ncr4RSr
— Rob Dauster (@RobDauster) February 21, 2023
After Oats' comments were widely panned by members of the media and the public — many calling for his termination — he issued an apology clarifying his intent.
"I thought it was important for me to clarify the unfortunate remarks I made earlier. This entire time I've tried to be thoughtful in my words relative to this tragic incident, and my statements came across poorly," Oats said in a statement.
"We were informed by law enforcement of other student-athletes being in the vicinity, and law enforcement has repeatedly told us that no other student-athletes were suspects — they were witnesses only. Our understanding is that they have all been fully truthful and cooperative. In no way did I intend to downplay the seriousness of this situation or the tragedy of that night. My prayers continue to go out to Jamea Harris's family."
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