Armen-Gilliam-Obituary

Armen Gilliam

Obituary

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Armen Gilliam, who was part of the UNLV Runnin' Rebels basketball team that made a run to the Final Four in 1987 and played for several NBA teams, has died. He was 47.

The Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office said Wednesday that Gilliam died Tuesday night at the LA Fitness gym in Bridgeville while he was playing basketball.

The office said the cause of death has not yet been determined pending an autopsy which is likely to be completed later Wednesday.

After college, the Phoenix Suns drafted Gilliam as the No. 2 overall pick in the first round of the draft. Besides the Suns, Gilliam also played with the then-Charlotte Hornets, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, Milwaukee Bucks and Utah Jazz. He retired in 2000.

Nicknamed "The Hammer," Gilliam was the leading scorer on the 1987 UNLV team coached by Jerry Tarkanian.

In a statement released by UNLV, Tarkanian, who coached basketball there from 1973-1992, ca lled him one of the best players the university ever had.

"In my ratings, I had Larry Johnson No. 1 and Armen No. 2. He was such a great person. Everybody loved him and he loved everybody," Tarkanian said. "He was such a gentle person and such a caring guy. I am all shook up over it. I think the world of him and am just really shocked."

Gilliam's No. 35 UNLV jersey was retired during a halftime ceremony at the Thomas & Mack Center in November 2007. He became the eighth player in the program's history to receive that honor.

He played at UNLV from 1984-87 and was a key member of UNLV's second NCAA Final Four team in 1987. That team finished the season with a 37-2 overall record and was 18-0 in Big West Conference play.

Gilliam coached and played for the Pittsburgh Xplosion in the American Basketball Association in 2005 and 2006.


Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press

Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

I'm shocked and sadden to just read 10/30/12 that Armon died... over a year ago.Making no sense of this news Mr./Mrs. Gilliam and family my deepest of condolence.
Shaun Napper

Mr & Mrs Gilliam & Family I truly think about Armon often and will always cherish the great times we had he was an awesome friend throughout my school years who was always there when a friend was in need. Mr Gilliam I will never forget the long phone conversation we had a few years back when you told me how blessed we were to be such good friends. Yes we were blessed and Armon will be sadly missed.

Another good brotha gone.. R.I.P.

just a fan who saw mr.gilliam in person twice once at sixers training camp and then in the 1990's outside the pittsburgh zoo felt/feel's special to have had god allowing me to have the ultimate pleasure of seeing this man twice in a lifetime.please it just so happens that i saw is obit. in a small corner of the sports section of the reading,pa. newspaper.god bless his family.

TO THE GILLIAM FAMILY:

SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS, A GREAT MAN OF GOD. HE WAS ONE OF MY FAVORITYE PLAYERS TO WATCH WHEN HE WAS HERE IN PHILLY.

STEVEN SAMUEL
UPPER DARBY, PA

a true 76er.

Armon Sadly missed. Our deepest Sympathy.
Steve & Carmen Mattin

I'm an avid basketball fan and when I heard that Armon Gilliam had died it just made me once again realize how valuble life is and how we should cherish each and every day. RIP in peace Mr. Gilliam...I can say you bought joy to the game and all the young men who you bought inspiration to will and should always remember you.....