NBA, Video / Jul 6, 2011 / 1:30 pm

Breaking News: Former NBA Star Armen Gilliam Dies

Armen Gilliam (formally Armon) played in the NBA for 13 seasons, averaging nearly 14 points and seven rebounds a game, spread out with six different teams. The former 1987 No. 2 overall pick died Tuesday night, ironically while playing basketball in Collier Township, Pennsylvania.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes:

Gilliam, who lived in Bethel Park, collapsed while playing a game of pickup basketball. He was taken to a hospital and was pronounced dead at 9:28 p.m., according to the Allegheny County coroner’s office.

Gilliam was 47.

It’s being reported that the cause of death was a heart attack. Gilliam was known for being a huge part of UNLV’s 38-game winning streak and march to the Final Four in 1987, as well as his physical play, which earned him one of the greatest nicknames ever, “The Hammer.”

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  • jmg

    condolences to the Gilliam family. Grew up watching him and he is one of the reasons i became a UNLV fan. I just saw him at a club in Vegas last summer, this is sad. RIP

  • Promoman

    Sad shades of Pistol Pete.

  • Waskito

    Ironically? I think if we, the basketball lover, can choose I would love to die while playing basketball.

  • doc

    messed up he checked out but he trashed

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