Gilliam came to UNLV from Independence Junior College and developed into a major inside scorer. In 1986–87 he averaged 23.2 points and 9.3 rebounds as the Rebels went 37–2 and reached the Final Four.
Phoenix selected him second overall in the 1987 NBA draft. A thirteen-season NBA career followed. UNLV retired his No. 35 jersey at Thomas & Mack in November 2007. His place in Vegas history is the university’s earlier championship pursuit: the 1987 team helped sustain the city’s basketball identity before Larry Johnson and Stacey Augmon delivered the national title.
Career landmarks
- 1987 · Final Four
- 1987 · No. 2 NBA draft pick
- 2007 · UNLV jersey retired
Watch the Vegas story
UNLV’s comeback against IowaJeff McDaniel · Archive broadcast
Read the sources
Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame · biography ↗Open source