Armen Gilliam was a professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for over a decade. He was born on May 28, 1964, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) where he played college basketball.
Gilliam was selected as the second overall pick in the 1987 NBA draft by the Phoenix Suns. He played for the Suns for three seasons before being traded to the Charlotte Hornets in 1990. He played for the Hornets for one season before being traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in 1991.
Gilliam played for the 76ers for four seasons and was a key player on the team. He was known for his scoring ability and his physical play on the court. He was also a strong rebounder and shot blocker.
In 1995, Gilliam was traded to the New Jersey Nets where he played for two seasons. He then played for the Milwaukee Bucks for one season before being traded to the Utah Jazz in 1998. He played for the Jazz for one season before being traded to the Orlando Magic in 1999.
Gilliam played for the Magic for one season before being traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in 2000. He played for the Grizzlies for one season before retiring from the NBA.
Throughout his career, Gilliam was known for his toughness and his ability to score in the low post. He was also a strong defender and was often tasked with guarding the opposing team's best player.
Gilliam's career statistics in the NBA include an average of 13.7 points per game, 6.9 rebounds per game, and 1.3 assists per game. He played in a total of 929 games over the course of his career.
After retiring from the NBA, Gilliam remained involved in basketball. He coached high school basketball and worked as a basketball analyst for various media outlets. He also founded the Armen Gilliam Foundation, which provides support and resources to underprivileged children.
Sadly, Gilliam passed away on July 5, 2011, at the age of 47. He suffered a heart attack while playing basketball at a gym in Pittsburgh. He is remembered as a talented and hardworking basketball player who made a significant impact on the NBA during his career.
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