Former NBA center and Arkansas Razorbacks star Oliver Miller has died. He was 54.
Miller’s death was announced Wednesday by the NBA Retired Players Association, along with several of his former teams.
“The basketball community has lost a legend,” the NBA Retired Players Association wrote in a post to X. “Our hearts are with the family, friends and fans of Oliver Miller.”
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A cause of death was not disclosed. However, Arkansas announced last month during an event honoring its 1990 Final Four team that Miller was unable to be in attendance as he had been battling cancer in Phoenix, Arizona.
“Means alot. Still n tears,” Miller wrote in a post to X on Feb. 27, sharing a tribute video from Arkansas basketball.
Miller, nicknamed “The Big O” for his 6-foot-9, near-300 pound stature, helped lead the Razorbacks to the NCAA Tournament Final Four as a sophomore in 1990, where Arkansas lost to Duke.
Arkansas basketball issued a statement Wednesday remembering the late Razorbacks legend.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Arkansas legend Oliver Miller,” the program wrote in a post to X. “A key member of the 1990 Final Four team, an SWC Hall of Famer, a first round NBA draft pick and a true embodiment of the Razorback spirit. We love you Big O. Our thoughts are with his family.”
After four standout years at Arkansas, Miller was drafted by the Phoenix Suns in the first round, 22nd overall, of the 1992 NBA Draft. He played nine seasons in the NBA for the Suns, Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors, Dallas Mavericks, Sacramento Kings and Minnesota Timberwolves. He played his first eight NBA seasons from 1992-2000, took a four-year hiatus to play in other professional and semi-professional leagues, and returned for one final season with the Timberwolves in 2003-04.
The Raptors held a moment of silence for Miller before their home game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday. The Raptors also issued a statement remembering Miller, who was a member of its inaugural team in 1995 after being selected with the final pick in the 1995 NBA Expansion Draft.
“The Toronto Raptors are saddened to learn of the passing of Oliver Miller, who spent three seasons with our organization,” the team wrote in a post to X. “He holds a special place in our history as a member of our inaugural team in 1995, and we are so grateful for all his contributions. We send our deepest condolences to the Miller family.”
For his nine-year NBA career, Miller averaged 7.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.5 blocks in 23 minutes across 493 games, including 196 starts.