Larry Miller, who starred for the UNC men’s basketball team under head coach Dean Smith in the 1960s, died Sunday in Pennsylvania, the program announced Monday afternoon. Miller was 79.
Miller helped the Tar Heels capture back-to-back ACC Tournament championships in 1967 and 1968, the first in Smith’s head coaching career. Miller was named ACC Tournament MVP, ACC Player of the Year and first team All-America in both seasons, becoming the only Tar Heel men’s basketball player ever to be named ACC Player of the Year twice. Miller earned consensus All-American honors in 1968, joining basketball legends Lew Alcindor (UCLA), Elvin Hayes (Houston), Pete Maravich (LSU) and Wes Unseld (Louisville).
UNC would make the Final Four in both 1967 and 1968, reaching the championship game in the latter season before losing to Alcindor and UCLA. The Tar Heels made the Final Four once again in 1969 following Miller’s graduation, a three-peat which likely saved Smith’s job in Chapel Hill.
Miller is one of the most prolific scorers in program history, with his 21.8 points per game ranking fifth among all Tar Heels. His streak of 64 consecutive games reaching double figures is still a school record. UNC went 70-21 overall and 32-10 in ACC play during Miller’s time with the program. He was voted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2022, becoming the 13th Tar Heel to be enshrined.
Miller played seven years in the American Basketball Association, being named to the ABA All-Rookie first team in 1969 with the Los Angeles Stars. He set the league’s all-time single-game scoring record with 67 points.
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