Oliver Miller
Encyclopedia
Oliver J. Miller is an American
former professional basketball
player.
, Miller, who is known as "The Big O" because of his large size (6-foot-9, over 300 pounds), was selected by the Phoenix Suns
as the 22nd overall pick of the 1992 NBA Draft
. He went on to play for various NBA
teams over his eight-year career, including the Suns (1992–94, 1999–2000), Detroit Pistons
(1994–95), Toronto Raptors
(1995–96 and 1997–98), Dallas Mavericks
(1996–97) and Sacramento Kings
(1998–99). He was signed by the Indiana Pacers
during the 2002 pre-season but was waived before the regular season began.
Miller was known as a talented center with good passing skills, averaging 12.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.9 blocks and 1.4 steals per game at his peak (1995–96). However, he was also notorious for his weight problems. In the beginning of his career, he was officially listed at 280 lb, but in the later years of his NBA career he ballooned to well over 300 lb, seriously reducing his mobility and stamina.
Following his initial stint in the NBA, Miller moved overseas, joining Iraklio BC
in Greece for the 1998–99 season, before signing with the Kings in February 1999 to play in 4 games. He spent the next season back with the Suns, playing in 51 games. After the season, Miller became a bit of a basketball vagabond, joining the Harlem Globetrotters
for the first of two stints with the team, then Pruszkow in Poland and back to the Globetrotters.
In December 2001, after another brief term with the Globetrotters, Miller was released for showing "no appreciation for what it takes mentally and physically to be a Harlem Globetrotter". In January 2002 he signed with Roseto of Italy but did not play there, and then joined the Continental Basketball Association
with the Gary Steelheads
before moving to the competing American Basketball Association
's Southern California Surf
and the USBL's Dodge City Legend
. He returned to the Steelheads in October 2002, and was traded to the Dakota Wizards
in February 2003.
In the 2003–04 season, Miller made a comeback with the Minnesota Timberwolves
. Despite being listed at 315 lb, he was still able to play an average of 10 minutes a game off the bench in his last NBA season.
After a stint in Puerto Rico
, Miller returned to the Wizards in October 2004 and next played with the Texas Tycoons
in the ABA until February 2005. He then played in 2005 for the Arkansas RimRockers
in the ABA.
After his stint in the ABA, Miller was signed to the Lawton-Fort Sill Cavalry of the Premier Basketball League
. He was signed March 15, 2010 and released in December.
On November 1, 2011, Oliver Miller plead guilty in Anne Arundel County to first degree assault and possessing a handgun. Sentencing is scheduled for December 16, 2011.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
former professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player.
Career
After graduating from the University of ArkansasArkansas Razorbacks
The Razorbacks, also known as the Hogs, are the names of college sports teams at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The term Arkansas Razorbacks properly applies to any of the sports teams at the university. The Razorbacks take their name from the feral pig of the same name...
, Miller, who is known as "The Big O" because of his large size (6-foot-9, over 300 pounds), was selected by the Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
as the 22nd overall pick of the 1992 NBA Draft
1992 NBA Draft
The 1992 NBA Draft took place on June 24, 1992, in Portland, Oregon. At the time, the draft was considered to be one of the deepest drafts in NBA history. The top three picks were considered can't-miss prospects. O'Neal and Mourning are likely Hall of Famers...
. He went on to play for various NBA
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
teams over his eight-year career, including the Suns (1992–94, 1999–2000), Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
(1994–95), Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1995, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, as part of the NBA's re-expansion...
(1995–96 and 1997–98), Dallas Mavericks
Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks are a professional basketball team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association , and the reigning NBA champions, having defeated the Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals.According to a 2011...
(1996–97) and Sacramento Kings
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
(1998–99). He was signed by the Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
during the 2002 pre-season but was waived before the regular season began.
Miller was known as a talented center with good passing skills, averaging 12.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.9 blocks and 1.4 steals per game at his peak (1995–96). However, he was also notorious for his weight problems. In the beginning of his career, he was officially listed at 280 lb, but in the later years of his NBA career he ballooned to well over 300 lb, seriously reducing his mobility and stamina.
Following his initial stint in the NBA, Miller moved overseas, joining Iraklio BC
Iraklio BC
Irakleio BC, also spelled Iraklio BC, or Heraklion BC, is a Greek professional basketball club that is based in the city of Irakleio, on the island of Crete, in Greece.-History:...
in Greece for the 1998–99 season, before signing with the Kings in February 1999 to play in 4 games. He spent the next season back with the Suns, playing in 51 games. After the season, Miller became a bit of a basketball vagabond, joining the Harlem Globetrotters
Harlem Globetrotters
The Harlem Globetrotters are an exhibition basketball team that combines athleticism, theater and comedy. The executive offices for the team are currently in downtown Phoenix, Arizona; the team is owned by Shamrock Holdings, which oversees the various investments of the Roy E. Disney family.Over...
for the first of two stints with the team, then Pruszkow in Poland and back to the Globetrotters.
In December 2001, after another brief term with the Globetrotters, Miller was released for showing "no appreciation for what it takes mentally and physically to be a Harlem Globetrotter". In January 2002 he signed with Roseto of Italy but did not play there, and then joined the Continental Basketball Association
Continental Basketball Association
The Continental Basketball Association was a professional men's basketball league in the United States, which has been on hiatus since the 2009 season.- History :...
with the Gary Steelheads
Gary Steelheads
The Gary Steelheads were a professional basketball team that played in the International Basketball League. In the past they played in the International Basketball League, Continental Basketball Association, and the United States Basketball League. They were based in Gary, Indiana and played their...
before moving to the competing American Basketball Association
American Basketball Association (2000–present)
The American Basketball Association, often abbreviated as ABA, is a semi-professional men's basketball league that was founded in 1999. The current ABA has no affiliation with the original American Basketball Association that merged with the National Basketball Association in 1976...
's Southern California Surf
Southern California Surf
The Southern California Surf was an American Basketball Association team based in Anaheim, California.The team began play in the 2001-2002 ABA season but is now defunct. It became the Long Beach Jam....
and the USBL's Dodge City Legend
Dodge City Legend
The Dodge City Legend was a professional basketball franchise in the United States Basketball League, a minor league that played in the spring. The Legend won three USBL titles, in 2000, its first season, 2003 and in 2005....
. He returned to the Steelheads in October 2002, and was traded to the Dakota Wizards
Dakota Wizards
The Dakota Wizards are an American basketball team in the NBA Development League, based in Bismarck, North Dakota. Home games are played at the Bismarck Civic Center.-Beginnings in IBA:...
in February 2003.
In the 2003–04 season, Miller made a comeback with the Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves are an American professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Founded in 1989, the team is currently owned by Glen Taylor...
. Despite being listed at 315 lb, he was still able to play an average of 10 minutes a game off the bench in his last NBA season.
After a stint in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
, Miller returned to the Wizards in October 2004 and next played with the Texas Tycoons
Texas Tycoons
The Texas Tycoons were a team of the American Basketball Association and the World Basketball Association based in Dallas. The team began play in the fall of 2004 based in Fort Worth...
in the ABA until February 2005. He then played in 2005 for the Arkansas RimRockers
Arkansas RimRockers
The Arkansas RimRockers were a NBA Development League team. They participated in minor league basketball based in Little Rock, Arkansas.Logo design: A red, white, and blue ball going through a basketball rim ....
in the ABA.
After his stint in the ABA, Miller was signed to the Lawton-Fort Sill Cavalry of the Premier Basketball League
Premier Basketball League
The Premier Basketball League, often abbreviated to the PBL, is a men's professional basketball minor league in the United States that began play in January 2008. The league had ten teams for the 2008 season and thirteen teams for the 2009 season. Nine teams from Canada and the United States...
. He was signed March 15, 2010 and released in December.
Controversy
In April 2011, he was accused of brandishing a gun during an altercation at a barbecue cookout in Arnold, Maryland. He was arrested and charged with first- and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, possessing a handgun, using a handgun in a violent crime, possessing a handgun in a vehicle and disorderly conduct, among other charges.On November 1, 2011, Oliver Miller plead guilty in Anne Arundel County to first degree assault and possessing a handgun. Sentencing is scheduled for December 16, 2011.