Brooklyn Nets: 25 Best Players To Play For The Nets
By Phil Watson
Armen Gilliam. 17. player. 147. <strong>How acquired:</strong> Free agent, Aug. 11, 1993.. PF-SF. 1993-96
Armen Gilliam hit the market as a free agent in the summer of 1993 and the New Jersey Nets took a shot on him, signing him in August 1993.
He worked out well as a reserve and a starter.
In July 1996, the Nets renounced his rights.
In three seasons in New Jersey, Gilliam averaged 14.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 30.2 minutes per game, shooting .492/0-for-4/.773.
Gilliam was the second overall pick out of UNLV by the Phoenix Suns in the 1987 NBA Draft and was an All-Rookie selection in 1987-88.
The Suns traded him to the Charlotte Hornets in December 1989 and in January 1991, he was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Waived by Philadelphia in July 1993, Gilliam signed with the Milwaukee Bucks in August 1996 after being let go by the Nets.
In August 1999, he was traded to the Orlando Magic, who waived him in November 1999. Gilliam signed with the Utah Jazz in January 2000 and retired after the season.
After four seasons as a collegiate coach at the junior college and Division III levels, Gilliam made a brief comeback in 2005-06 as a player-coach in the American Basketball Association.
He died July 5, 2011, at a hospital in Mt. Lebanon, Pa., after collapsing from a heart attack during a pickup game at a nearby gym. He was 47 years old.
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