Miller
Time In Minnesota
CBA All-Star Oliver Miller returns to the NBA
12.13.03 – The ‘Big O’ is getting ready to hit the target.
The Target Center that is.
With off-season acquisition Michael Olowokandi on the shelf nursing an injured
right knee, the Minnesota Timberwolves have signed Dakota Wizards center
Oliver Miller from the Continental Basketball Association.
“We couldn’t be happier for Oliver and his family,” remarked
Dakota Wizards Head Coach Dave Joerger. “He has a real chance to do
some good things there.”
In 11 games (all starts) with the Wizards this season, Miller averaged 16.2
points and 8.7 rebounds per game, while also dishing out 39 assists, grabbing
15 steals, and blocking 21 shots. League-wide, he ranked eleventh in scoring,
seventh in rebounding and second in blocked shots per game.
During
the 2002-03 season, Miller was a CBA All-Star selection, and was named to
the All-League Second Team after averaging 15.7 points and 12.1 rebounds
per game.
“The
CBA was a platform for him to show his talent, and he took that opportunity
and used it to its full benefit,” Coach Joerger stated. “We
know the NBA is watching. We have had a lot of scouts at not only our games,
but other games as well. It is a terrific thing for our team and our league.”
The
University of Arkansas alum has played with five different teams over the
course of eight seasons in the NBA. The Phoenix Suns selected him with the
22nd pick in the first round of the 1992 NBA Draft.
Oliver
has averaged 7.9 points (.535 FG%), 6.2 rebounds and 24.3 minutes in 445
regular-season games with Phoenix (1992-94, 1999-2000), Detroit (1994-95),
Toronto (1995-96, second half of 1996-97, 1997-98), Dallas (first half of
1996-97) and Sacramento (1998-99).
In
41 career NBA post-season contests (all with Phoenix), Miller has registered
5.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 17.0 minutes per game. His best season in the
NBA came in 1995-96 with Toronto, when he set career highs with 12.9 points
and 7.4 rebounds per game in 76 games played.
The
timetable for Olowokandi's return has not yet been determined, though he
will miss a minimum of 5 games after being placed on the Injured List, following
knee surgery on 12/12/03.
Miller’s
promotion marks the second CBA-to-NBA call-up of the week and the third
overall this season.
