The Loss of Armon Gilliam--A Great Rebel

By Ron Futrell follow: @RonFutrell

This came as a major shock to those who knew him.

One of the strongest players the Rebel basketball program has ever known collapses on the court of an apparent heart attack and dies while playing a pick-up game in his hometown near Pittsburgh, PA.

Armon Gilliam (or Armen after he began play in the NBA) was the kindest, nicest Rebel basketball player I ever knew. It's as simple as that. His play on the court was the exact opposite. While never a dirty player, but he was a fighter under the basket and it earned him the nickname "The Hammer."

Well deserved, but he was anything but "The Hammer" in his personal life.

While covering the Rebels in the late 80's we were in a hotel lobby in Salt Lake City. I heard an unusually beautiful melody coming from a piano across the room. I walked over and was surprised to see Armon there playing away like he owned the room. Quickly I asked our cameraman to grab his gear and shoot this amazing video. I had a feature story here that nobody else would have. The Hammer, hammering out a tune for the small crowd in the lobby.

Armon sheepishly stopped playing and then asked me kindly if I would not shoot any video of him playing the piano. I was a bit surprised by his reaction, but he wanted to keep his piano playing personal. I understood. I lost a feature story, but saw a side of the big man that made me respect him even more.

One day before practice I saw Armon drive up in an old station wagon, I believe a Buick. This was another shocker for me. In a time when Rebel basketball players were known for driving some pretty nice cars---Armon had his old station wagon that he may have driven himself from Pennsylvania to Las Vegas. It looked like he had---a few times. It made a statement about the man who led the Rebels to 3 NCAA appearances in his three seasons at UNLV and a Final Four in 1987. He was at UNLV to work, get the job done and wasn't much for the flash that the program relished---still he was a perfect fit.

On the court, nobody worked harder. Tim Grgurich was always there, tirelessly in his efforts to turn Armon from a state champion wrestler to the ultimate college power forward. Armon had the best teacher and as a student, he learned quickly.

That Final Four in New Orleans was a special treat. I recall talking Armon and Gary Graham, two northeast guys, to head with me for a live shot in front of the New Orleans Superdome. We had set up a special crawfish boil there and they were willing to enjoy it with us. They were not prepared for how spicy it was, but Armon was always the trooper and made it through the interview while his mouth was burning from the corn. He was always gracious and forever the gentleman.

Armon was the second player chosen in the 1988 draft by the Phoenix Suns and he spent 13 solid years in the NBA.

Armon Gilliam---47 years old and left an impact forever on those who knew him.

Vegas Sports Shorts!

First, Stuart Appleby shoots a 59 on Sunday to win the PGA Tour event. That is only the 5th time that has happened in PGA tour history. Brings back some memories of Chip Beck who was one of those golfers who shot a 59. He did it at the old Sunrise Country Club during the Las Vegas Invitational in 1991. The club later became Stallion Mountain Country Club and is now no longer a golf course. Beck had 5 pars, 13 bridies that day. His last birdie was on 18 when he hit a simple little 3 footer for that 59.

Second, Jerimiah Masoli will be going to the Rebels, but not the UNLV Rebels. He's the former Oregon Ducks quarterback who has been kicked off the team after multiple arrests. He led the Ducks to a Rose Bowl win. There was talk that he may play for the Rebels in Vegas, instead, he is on his way to the Rebels of Ol Miss. Can't wait for college football season to get underway here soon! A lot of optimisim with new coach Bobby Hauck taking over the UNLV Rebels this year (let's hope they do better than another 2-9 season, we've had enough of those lately.)

Third, a good fight over the weekend at Mandalay Bay between Marquez and Diaz----but what's next for Las Vegas boxing? Hard to say, not much on the horizon. Manny Pacquaio and Floyd Mayweather Jr. is the only major fight left on the horizon and it will not be happening until at least next year and there is no guarantee that it will be in Las Vegas.

Fourth, hot shot baseball player Bryce Harper may be headed back to the College of Southern Nevada baseball program. That's what he's saying on his Facebook page.
"Probably headed back to CSN to try to win a National Championship!!!!" Harper, the top overall pick by the Washington Nationals in last year's First-Year Player Entry Draft, has until Aug. 15 to sign.

Harper is 17 years old, he batted .443 with 31 home runs and 98 RBIs this spring for CSN in leading them to the Junior College World Series.