Former NBA player and University of Arkansas standout Oliver Miller has died at age 54.
The 6-9 power forward and center had been battling cancer and undergoing treatment in Phoenix. The Suns, along with the National Basketball Retired Players Association, confirmed Miller’s death on Wednesday.
Suns coach Mike Budenholzer, speaking to the media prior to Wednesday’s game at Houston, said he learned of Miller’s death earlier in the day and offered his condolences to Miller’s family.
‘Growing up in Arizona, watching those teams, late ’80s, early ’90s,’ Budenholzer said. ‘What an incredible passer, incredible player, you know … Seemed like a guy his teammates loved, brought a joy to the game, brought a joy to life.’
Miller was a first-round pick by the Suns (No. 22 overall) in the 1992 draft after leading the Razorbacks to the Final Four two years earlier.
As a rookie, he was on the Suns team that reached the 1993 NBA Finals before losing to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in six games. Over 24 games in those playoffs, Miller played a key role for Phoenix, averaging 7.2 points and 5.2 rebounds.
After spending eight seasons in the NBA with five different teams from 1992-98, Miller played with semipro and overseas teams for four years before coming back for one final season with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2003-04.
He played in a total of 493 NBA games, with career averages of 7.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game.