The Biggest NBA Player to Ever Play the Game

Oliver Miller was born on April 6, 1970 in Forth Worth, Texas. Miller after going to high school in Texas, attended the University of Arkansas. He had a very nice career with the Razorbacks averaging 12 points a game 6 rebounds, and was a very good passer and shot blocker. He was later elected into the sports hall of honor for the University of Arkansas. After a nice career in college "the big O" as what they called him for his weight problems while being in the NBA. Miller was drafted 22nd overall by the Phoenix Suns in 1992. Miller was primarily a center at only 6'9", but was listed at 280 pounds. A very similar frame to former LSU and Boston Celtic Glen "big baby" Davis. I remember Davis famously being a pesky defender and coming up with big shots in the finals series versus the Lakers about 10 years ago.

Oliver Miller overall was a very serviceable back up and occasional starter. He started off very nicely in Phoenix and saw his scoring averages go up for the first few years he was in the league. He played his best season in the 95-96 season for the new expansion team of the Toronto Raptors. He averaged nearly 13 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and nearly 2 blocks a game. The 3 assists is very good especially for a center. His passing skills were very good for a big man, and is what helped him stand out as a player. By this time though his weight was already noticeably more than his listed 280. To be at over 300 pounds and a little undersized at center is quite impressive for the numbers he was putting up. After that standout season in 95 his career really went downhill, he was noticeably gaining more and more weight. He was able to play 5 more seasons after that but his minutes and amount of games were significantly less, and of course his averages in statistics. In 96-97 he was traded to the Dallas Mavericks and did not get the some playing time and this was around the time he was at his new listed weight of around 315 pounds. He came back to Toronto in 97-98, and was given more of a chance, but he only averaged about 6 points a game, half of what he averaged just 2 years ago. In 98-99 season he only played in 4 games with the Sacramento Kings. In 99-00 he came back to the team that drafted him the Phoenix Suns. He played about 20 minutes a night and averaged 6 points and almost 2 blocks a game. His shot blocking astounds me actually because this was around the time he was playing around 370-380 pounds. After the 00 season he played overseas or for minor league basketball teams until he made a comeback with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2003. He managed to play in 48 games at about 10 minutes a night. After this is when he retired from the NBA and played a few more seasons overseas.

Oliver Miller bounced around the league, but I think still had a very nice career in the NBA despite all the weight problems he had. His career could have been much different if he was able to control his weight. Oliver Miller did have an altercation where he pistol-whipped a man and served a year in jail back in 2011. He has since served his time and is residing back in Arizona where he has 3 children. It is also reported that Miller has lost about 60 pounds. He changed his diet and began walking everyday. He also said that he can fit into his Phoenix Suns rookie jersey, which is quite impressive. Miller says he did this all after seeing a few of his former NBA friends pass away at young ages, and I really commend him for all the weight he has lost. To be playing in the league at the weight he was, I could not imagine all the verbal abuse he took from it everywhere he was at. I wish Oliver the best, and everyone take care of yourselves especially with everything going on in the world right now. Please practice social distancing and wash your hands. Thank you all.