Former NBA center Oliver Miller had one wish—to see his grandkids grow up. “I want to live long because I have grandkids now. I want to be able to see them graduate, I want to be able to see them grow up, I want to be able to see them become good young kids,” he said in 2018. But sadly, that moment never came. The National Basketball Retired Players Association confirmed his passing on Wednesday, leaving the basketball world in mourning.
Notably, Phoenix Suns’ broadcaster Eddie Johnson was among the first to break the news. “I am so sad to report we have lost another @NBA Fraternity member! Nine-year veteran Oliver Miller has passed away at age 54! Going to miss you Big O. RIP,” Johnson wrote in an emotional social media post.
Meanwhile, tributes poured in from Miller’s former teams. The Toronto Raptors, where he played three seasons, honored his legacy, writing, “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.” The Phoenix Suns also shared their grief with a simple yet heartfelt message: “Rest in Peace, Big O .”
Standing at 6-foot-9 and weighing over 300 pounds during his playing days, Miller was one of the heaviest players in NBA history. But before that, he was a force at Arkansas, playing for the Razorbacks from 1988 to 1992. His alma mater, like the NBA community, deeply felt his loss.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Arkansas legend Oliver Miller,” the Razorbacks wrote in their tribute. “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.” But what happened?
Oliver Miller’s unknown fight
Arkansas sports reporter Wally Hall revealed that the former NBA big man lost his battle with cancer. “Oliver ‘Big O’ Miller has passed. Cancer. Prayers for his family,” Hall shared.
Miller’s fight with cancer was only made public last month. During an event honoring Arkansas’ 1990 Final Four team, the school announced his diagnosis. In response, Miller posted a heartfelt message, thanking the program for its touching video tribute. Though he stayed strong until the end, his battle was one he ultimately couldn’t win.
Oliver “Big O’ Miller has passed. Cancer. Prayers for his family.
— Wally Hall (@WallyLikeItIs) March 12, 2025
However, cancer wasn’t the only battle Oliver Miller had to fight. His weight had been a lifelong challenge, one that followed him throughout his NBA career. “I got tired of seeing myself in the mirror and seeing slop,” Miller said as per Fox Sports.
Every team he played for kept tabs on his weight, making him step on the scale daily and questioning his every meal. “Always making me weigh in every single day, saying you can’t eat that, why are you eating that.” The constant pressure only added to his struggles.
And then, there was the ridicule from opposing fans. Miller became an easy target, facing taunts that went beyond the court. “Big O, do you want a cheeseburger? Yeah, hold the pickles,” he recalled. But the jokes didn’t stop with fans—after he signed with the Kings, even his old friend, the Suns’ Gorilla mascot, got in on it. A video from the time showed the mascot in an oversized Miller jersey, playing up the weight jokes for the crowd.
“I was friends with him,” Miller said, understanding that the league was a business. But while he could brush it off, his family couldn’t. “The thing that bothered me was my kids—they were at the game. They were more hurt than I was.” Watching their father be mocked in front of thousands was something they couldn’t just laugh away.
Back in 2018, Miller faced yet another wake-up call—a blood clot in his lung landed him in the hospital. With a family history of diabetes and high blood pressure, he knew it was time for a change. This time, it wasn’t about basketball or public perception. It was about his life.
A journey beyond basketball
But change didn’t happen overnight. It took a long, hard look in the mirror for Oliver Miller to decide it was time. “Once you see yourself in the mirror and you get tired of looking at what you are looking at, then it’s up to you to make the change,” he said. So, he did. He cleaned up his diet and made walking a daily routine. “I walk 30, 35 minutes. Sometimes I go an hour and 15, depending on how I feel.”
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Still, the road wasn’t always easy. Old habits were hard to break. “I still have a weakness for French fries,” Miller admitted. But the effort paid off—he dropped about 60 pounds and even fit into his rookie Suns jersey again. “I use my NBA jerseys as motivation,” he shared. Yet, for Miller, it wasn’t just about his own journey. He wanted to help others find their path to a healthier life, too.
That’s why he made himself available to anyone who needed guidance. “I am available. You can reach out to bigohands1 [at] gmail [dot] com. If you need me to come out and speak for motivation or anything and I’m available,” he said. His message was simple but powerful: “I’m always saying to be better, you have to do better, so why not.”
Now, with his passing, the basketball world mourns the loss of a true legend. Rest in peace, Big O.
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