Alabama’s Brandon Miller declares for 2023 NBA Draft

AlabamaAll-American forward Brandon Miller is heading to the NBA afterdisplaying versatile talent and athleticism in a lone season ofcollege ball that wasblemished by revelationshewas present at a fatal shooting in January near campus.

ESPN firstreported on Miller’s decision, and a person with knowledge of thesituation confirmed the report to The Associated Press. The personspoke on condition of anonymity because Miller hadn’t yet made anofficial declaration for the draft.

The6-foot-9, 200-pound freshman, who was one of the nation’s top highschool recruits, is projected as a potential top 5 draft pick.

Millerdisplayed his accurate 3-point shooting and athleticism in the mostproductive season of any freshman in Alabama history. He led theTide to their first No. 1 ranking in 20 years and first No. 1 NCAATournament seed.

Milleraveraged 18.8 points and 8.2 rebounds while hitting 38% from3-point range. But hewas scoreless in his first MarchMadness game, and went 3 of 19 and scored just nine points in aSweet 16 loss to San Diego State.

Miller wasdescribed as a cooperating witness after the Jan. 15 shooting andwas never charged with a crime.

But he andthe Tide were dogged by off-court questions for the final twomonths of the season. Former Alabama player Darius Miles andanother man were charged with capital murder in the fatal shootingof 23-year-old Jamea Harris, who was killed in early on Jan.15.

Miller andfellow freshman Jaden Bradley were placed at the scene aswell.According to police testimony,Miller brought Miles his gun. Miller’s attorney said the Tideforward was on his way to pick Miles up when Miles texted askinghim to bring the weapon, but that Miller never handled the gun anddidn’t know any criminal activity was intended.

Millerreceived threats after the news came out, and was accompanied by auniversity-provided security guard. “It doesn’t bother me,” Millersaid of the threats at the NCAA regional in Birmingham, Alabama, “Isend it to the right people and they handle it.”

Alabamafinished the season 31-6 and won the Southeastern Conferenceregular-season and tournament titles.