Armen Gilliam: This UNLV LEGEND might be the MOST FORGOTTEN #2 overall pick in NBA HISTORY | FPP

He was a player built for 90s basketball as a wrestler and football player who became a college basketball star. Armen Gilliam AKA “The Hammer” played three incredible seasons at UNLV and was the leader of their most successful team pre-1990 National Championship. Gilliam was an offensive force under Jerry Tarkanian with his relentless and physical play, yet still possessed quickness and stamina and a pretty good baseline jumper. After graduating from UNLV, he entered the 1987 NBA Draft, featuring hall of famers like David Robinson, Scottie Pippen and Reggie Miller. But after the San Antonio Spurs made the admiral the first overall pick, the next player off the board was Gilliam to the Phoenix Suns. Gilliam would spend a couple solid years with Phoenix alongside guys like Kevin Johnson, Tom Chambers and Dan MAjerle, he would then spend a little time with the upstart Charlotte Hornets, before spending a few seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers; playing a couple seasons with Charles Barkley; then he would spend some time in New Jersey alongside Derrick Coleman, before joining another great power forward in Milwaukee’s Vin Baker, then finishing his career with the Utah Jazz, playing behind Karl Malone. Gilliam had his flaws, as he was a defensive liability, but on offense, he was one of the most efficient offensive players of his era, yet seldom got a real chance to show it, as he was always backing up one of the league’s top forwards; but it did make one of the best second unit players in the league. He had the skill and work ethic to be a consistent 20 and 10 player, but instead accepted a lesser role without issue; because that’s the kind of guy Armen Gilliam was, a great teammate and underrated player who passed away too soon in 2011 at the age of 47. His game wasn’t pretty or flashy, and he need attention, so it makes sense that you don’t hear much about him, but he was no slouch and if not in the NBA, he at least deserves his flowers for his time as a UNLV Rebel.
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