On the heels of losing Junior Bridgeman on Tuesday, the NBA community lost another on Wednesday, with the passing of former forward Oliver Miller due to cancer at age 54. Former Sun Eddie Johnson announced the news on X.
Miller was the 1991 Southwest Conference Player of the Year at the University of Arkansas (15.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.9 blocks), and led the Razorbacks to three consecutive SEC regular and tournament titles. In 1990, the Razorbacks made the Final Four. Miller was All-SEC in 1992, averaging 13.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.6 blocks.
In 1992, Miller was drafted 22nd overall by the Phoenix Suns. He spent two seasons in Phoenix before heading to the Toronto Raptors for their inaugural season where he averaged a career-best 12.9 points and 7.4 rebounds in 76 games (72 starts). Miller played one season in Dallas (1996-97) prior to again suiting up for the Raptors for 64 games in 1997-98. He then played for Iraklio B.C. in Greece in 1998-99, and spent time with the Sacramento Kings and Suns from 1999-00. Miller played in Poland, Puerto Rico, China, the ABA, USBL and CBA from 2000-03 prior to his final NBA season of 2003-04 with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He played in the CBA and ABA from 2004-2007, and played one more professional season, in 2010, for the Lawton-Fort Sill Cavalry of the Premier Basketball League, where he was coached by former NBA All-Star Michael Ray Richardson.
Miller was the CBA blocks leader in 2003 while being named an All-Star and All-CBA 2nd Team. He averaged 7.4 points and 5.9 rebounds in 493 career games.
RIP, Oliver Miller.
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