Oliver Miller, a formidable center who played a pivotal role in leading the University of Arkansas to the Final Four, has passed away at the age of 54.
The news of Miller’s death was confirmed on Wednesday by several of his former teams, along with the National Basketball Retired Players Association. While the cause of death remains undisclosed, it was previously reported that Miller had been battling cancer, a fact revealed during a tribute event for the 1990 Final Four team. Just last month, he expressed gratitude for the heartfelt video tribute shared by his teammates on social media.
Affectionately known as “The Big O,” Miller stood 6-foot-9 and weighed 280 pounds, a figure that exceeded 300 pounds during his NBA tenure. He made his mark at Arkansas from 1988 to 1992, averaging 12.2 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. His contributions were instrumental in helping coach Nolan Richardson’s 1989-90 team reach the Final Four, where they faced a tough loss against Duke. In 1991, he was honored as the Southwest Conference Player of the Year.
The University of Arkansas expressed its sorrow through a social media post, stating, “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Arkansas legend Oliver Miller. 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.”
Miller was selected by the Phoenix Suns as the 22nd overall pick in the 1992 NBA Draft. Throughout his nine-season career, he averaged 7.4 points and 5.9 rebounds while playing for various teams, including the Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors, Dallas Mavericks, Sacramento Kings, and Minnesota Timberwolves. His basketball journey also took him overseas, where he played in Europe, the Continental Basketball Association, and the United States Basketball League, even joining the Harlem Globetrotters for a time.
In a show of respect, the Toronto Raptors held a moment of silence for Miller before their game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night. Miller was notably the last pick in the 1995 expansion draft, making him a part of the Raptors’ inaugural team.
The Raptors honored his legacy with a heartfelt message on social media: “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.”
