Oliver Miller, a former Arkansas NBA C, passes away at age 54

The National Basketball Retired Players Association said Wednesday that Oliver Miller, who played center for Arkansas before a long NBA career, passed away at the age of 54.

There was no cause of death mentioned.

He spent three seasons with each of the Phoenix Suns and Toronto Raptors during his nine seasons in the NBA, playing for six different clubs.

During his junior year (1990–91), Miller averaged 15.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and a national-high 2.9 blocked shots per game, earning him the title of Southwest Conference Player of the Year for the Razorbacks.

He averaged 11.1 points and 6.3 rebounds per game the previous season, helping Arkansas reach the Final Four before losing to Duke.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Arkansas legend Oliver Miller,” said Arkansas athletics in a tweet on Wednesday. An SWC Hall of Famer, a first-round NBA draft pick, a vital member of the 1990 Final Four squad, and a living example of the Razorback spirit. Big O, you are loved. His family is in our prayers.

Miller played in the NBA for the Detroit Pistons, the Raptors, the Dallas Mavericks, the Sacramento Kings, and the Minnesota Timberwolves before being selected by Phoenix with the 22nd overall choice in the 1992 NBA Draft.

Miller averaged 7.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.5 blocks in 493 NBA games over his career, including 196 starts. In 1995–96, he had his greatest season with Toronto, averaging 12.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.9 blocks per game.