Oliver Miller, the former NBA big man and a member of the Phoenix Suns team that reached the NBA Finals in 1993, has died at the age of 54.
The NBA Players Union announced the news on X, writing: “The basketball community has lost a Legend. Our hearts are with the family, friends and fans of Oliver Miller.”
Suns broadcaster Eddie Johnson also posted the news on social media, writing: “I’m so sad to report we have lost another NBA Fraternity member. … Going to miss you Big O.”
The Toronto Raptors, where Miller scored a career-high 12.9 points per game during the 1995-96 season, paid tribute to him on the video board during Wednesday night’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Toronto Raptors are saddened to learn of the passing of Oliver Miller, who spent three seasons with our organization. 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… pic.twitter.com/h6lUpoA6Uh
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) March 12, 2025
A cause of death has not been announced, but Miller shared a video on his X account Feb. 27 that revealed he was dealing with cancer.
Miller played nine years in the NBA, breaking in with the Suns as a rookie in 1992. The Suns drafted him with the 22nd pick of the 1992 draft, one of three Arkansas Razorbacks chosen in the first round, joining Todd Day and Lee Mayberry. As a rookie, Miller, who was listed at 6 feet 9 and 280 pounds, battled weight problems that would plague him throughout his career. He also became a valuable reserve in Phoenix’s run to the NBA Finals, where they lost to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.
He’s remembered fondly for the impact he made early in that playoff run. Despite earning the Western Conference’s top seed, the Suns dropped the first two games of a best-of-five series against the Lakers at home. They won the next two in Los Angeles to force a deciding Game 5. Miller was the difference.
The big man had nine points and blocked a shot in overtime as the Suns eliminated the Lakers, 112-104. Miller finished with 17 points, 14 rebounds and seven blocked shots in one of the better games of his career. After the contest, Miller told reporters that the “O” in “Big O” stood for “overachiever.” He also said he imagined a lot of teams regretted passing over him in the draft.
Rest in Peace, Big O 💜🧡 pic.twitter.com/Yxie4cGGd5
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) March 12, 2025
“They’re all now sweating, looking at me play,” Miller said. “Especially guys who talked bad about me, talking about I have no heart, I’m a loser, I have no pride in myself. But I went out and proved it today. Look at me now.”
The next season, Miller started 30 games for Phoenix, averaging 9.2 points and 6.9 rebounds. That summer, he signed with Detroit after Phoenix declined to match the Pistons’ offer. It left Miller with a sour taste, and he voiced his displeasure publicly. He played well but continued to battle his weight and other issues.
After stints with the Pistons, Raptors, Mavericks, Raptors (again) and Kings, Miller returned to the Suns in 1999. He told reporters he regretted his comments after leaving the organization, blaming immaturity, and was excited for another chance with the team that had drafted him. So was Phoenix.
“There are so many stories where you hear people have to hit rock bottom before they can truly change their ways,” then-Suns president Jerry Colangelo told reporters. “ … What better place to give a guy a chance to redeem himself than where it started.”
After a one-season return to Phoenix, Miller became a bit of a basketball vagabond, having stints in Greece, Poland, the CBA, the USBL and even for the Harlem Globetrotters.
Miller returned to the NBA in 2003-04, averaging 2.5 points in 48 games (one start) with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
(Photo: Tim DeFrisco / Getty Images)
