The Alabama Crimson Tide basketball program was rocked with scandal over the weekend after junior forward Darius Miles was charged with capitol murder on Sunday morning. The tragedy overshadowed what otherwise was a great weekend for the Tide as the program defeated the LSU Tigers on Saturday 106-66.

Miles had been away from the team after taking a leave of absence to deal with a personal matter. He returned to the program and team over the weekend and was on the sidelines and locker room on Saturday celebrating the team's strong performance. The program announced, ahead of Saturday's matchup,  that Miles would be missing the remainder of the year with an ankle injury.

The forward is one of two suspects that the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes unit is charging with the capitol murder of Jamea Jonae Harris. Michael Lynn Davis, a friend from Miles' hometown, is the other suspect in the shooting and is not a University of Alabama student.

Miles has been removed from the University of Alabama basketball team and is no longer enrolled at the University, according to a statement sent by Alabama Athletics.

"I just want to start today by offering our deepest condolences to the family and friend of Jamea Jonae Harris. A young woman, daughter and mother was taken way too soon from a senseless act. This is an incredibly sad situation and our hearts go out to her loved ones," said Alabama head coach Nate Oats. "We're keeping them in our thoughts and prayers as they continue to grieve. We came together last night and talked. I thought it was important that we were all here and around to support one another through this situation.

This being a pending investigation there's nothing I can add that hasn't already been shared. You may have some questions, there's nothing I can comment on relative to Darius's situation and the investigation.  Again our sympathies to Jamea's family following this unimaginable loss. This is a really difficult situation, we're going to continue to support each other as we process this and balance school and basketball. To that end we regrouped this morning and maintained our routine and some structure in the midst of this situation. We'll practice before heading up to Nashville for the Vanderbilt game."

Get our free mobile app

Oats explained that the team was taking advantage of the counseling and support services that exist on the campus of the University of Alabama. He did clarify that the situation did not go any deeper in the basketball program than Miles.

The Crimson Tide is scheduled to take on Vanderbilt on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. CT in Nashville. Oats commented that the entirety of the team that remains will be making the trip to Nashville.

Alabama vs LSU

Alabama vs Arkansas Basketball January 11 2023

 

More From Tuscaloosa Thread