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.

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.

Related Stories
‹
UNC Men's Basketball at Duke (2026): How to Watch, Cord-Cutting Options and Tip-Off Time
UNC will play its final game of the regular season Saturday night when it visits No. 1 Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Tar Heels are looking for a regular season sweep of the Blue Devils. If you aren’t attending the game in Durham, here’s how to follow along at home: Broadcast Schedule Those hoping […]
Chansky's Notebook: The Man in the Arena
There are no more UNC home games at the Dean Smith Center this basketball season, but the arena is still top of mind.
Chansky's Notebook: A Good Sign?
UNC fans can hope that finishing the season 18-0 in home games is a sign of more good things to come for the 2026 Tar Heels.
UNC Men's Basketball's Defense of Home Court is Historic — and Emotionally Charged
Elijah Davis has a tattoo of the Old Well on his right shoulder. Standing in front of the UNC landmark is a figure with its back turned, which Davis could neither confirm nor deny is actually him. “My mom asked,” Davis said. “That wasn’t the plan, but… sure. That is me.” Elijah was in the […]
UNC Men's Basketball Grinds Past Clemson, Wins on Senior Night for Trimble, Davis
Despite a suffocating Clemson defense and a halftime deficit, UNC defeated Clemson 67-63 at the Smith Center Tuesday night. The win came on Senior Night for Elijah Davis and Seth Trimble and capped off an 18-0 home campaign for the Tar Heels. HEELS WIN.#CarolinaFamily | @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/yzRkD75gVC — Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) March 4, 2026 UNC […]
Chansky's Notebook: Throwbacks
It’s appropriate that Seth Trimble and R.J. Davis will both be honored at the Smith Center together when UNC faces Clemson tonight.
UNC's Seth Trimble Named ACC Player of the Week
After scoring 30 points in a win against Louisville and 20 in a win against Virginia Tech, UNC senior guard Seth Trimble was named the ACC Player of the Week Monday. Your ACC Player of the Week 🗣️ 🔗 https://t.co/4n6zsuhmPT pic.twitter.com/XwEMWKctA6 — Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) March 2, 2026 In addition to averaging 25 points per […]
UNC Basketball in the AP Poll: Men Up to No. 17, Women Up to No. 16
The UNC men’s and women’s basketball teams both rose in the latest editions of the AP Poll, which were released Monday. The men’s team rose one spot to No. 17, while the women’s team rose five spots to No. 16. The No. 17 Tar Heel men won a pair of home games last week, defeating […]
Chansky's Notebook: Bigger Challenges
The UNC men’s and women’s basketball teams took important steps forward on Saturday and Sunday and have positioned themselves well for March.
UNC Men's Basketball vs. Clemson (2026): How to Watch, Cord-Cutting Options and Tip-Off Time
UNC will host its final home game of the 2025-26 season Tuesday night when Clemson visits the Smith Center. It will also be senior night for Seth Trimble and Elijah Davis, who are playing their final home games as Tar Heels. If you aren’t attending the game in person, here’s how to follow along at […]
›