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Oliver Miller, legendary Arkansas center and key member of 1990 Final Four team, dies

ns_headshot_2024-clearby:Nick Schultz•03/12/25•

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Legendary Arkansas center Oliver Miller
© Imagn Images

Oliver Miller, who became a legend at Arkansas while helping lead the Razorbacks to the 1990 Final Four, has died, the school announced. He was 54 years old.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Arkansas legend Oliver Miller,” Arkansas said on social media. “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.”

No cause of death was announced at the time of publication. Miller became a household name in 1990 when he started 13 out of 35 games as Arkansas rattled off a run to the Final Four. He averaged 11.1 points and 6.3 rebounds to anchor the Razorbacks in the paint as they finished 30-5 overall and 14-2 in Southwest Conference play.

Miller’s biggest season was the next one, though. He averaged a career-high 15.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and an SWC-leading 2.9 blocks per game. Those efforts earned him Southwest Conference Player of the Year honors and a First Team All-SWC selection.

Following his time at Arkansas, Miller headed to the NBA after the Phoenix Suns selected him as the No. 22 overall pick in the 1992 NBA Draft. He spent two seasons with the franchise before one year with the Detroit Pistons. He then headed to Toronto as part of the inaugural Raptors team in 1995, and they paid tribute to Miller after news broke of his death.

“The Toronto Raptors are saddened to learn of the passing of Oliver Miller, who spent three seasons with our organization,” the franchise wrote 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.”

Miller’s professional basketball career continued through 2010 as he split time between the NBA, the Euroleague and other leagues in the U.S. In addition to the Raptors and Suns, he played for the Dallas Mavericks, Sacramento Kings and Minnesota Timberwolves during his career. He retired following his release from the Lawton-Fort Sill Calvary in the Premier Basketball League.