The NBA world is mourning the death of former Phoenix Suns star Oliver Miller, and former teammate Charles Barkley is now breaking his silence about his former teammate's death.
The league announced on March 13 that Miller passed away at 54. The former Arkansas Razorbacks star was a rookie on the Suns team that reached the NBA Finals in 1993, losing to the Chicago Bulls. He went on to play for several NBA teams before embarking on an international career, playing until 2010.
Miller had a well-rounded NBA career, averaging 7.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game and shooting 53.4% from the field in 493 career games.
Appearing on "NBA on TNT" shortly after the news of Miller's passing was announced, Barkley delivered an emotional message about his former teammate.
"Great kid. It's been a rough week for the NBA family. Oliver, man, he was a great kid," Barkley said. "We would not have gotten to the Finals without Oliver Miller. We would not have gotten there. He was a terrific passer... He was a great kid and man, 53-54 years that's way too young to be passing away."
The NBA mourns the passing of Oliver Miller (1970-2025).
Selected as the No. 22 overall pick by the Phoenix Suns in 1992, Oliver played 9 NBA seasons with the Suns, Detroit Pistons, Dallas Mavericks, Toronto Raptors, Sacramento Kings and Minnesota Timberwolves. pic.twitter.com/pRauKwGbYb
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) March 13, 2025
While Miller's cause of death was not disclosed, The Associated Press noted that "Arkansas had announced during an event honoring its 1990 Final Four team that Miller had cancer, and Miller thanked the team for its video tribute to him while posting it on social media last month."
Related: Oliver Miller's Final Social Media Post Before His Death at 54 Brought 'Tears'
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This story was originally published March 17, 2025 at 7:04 PM.