Rest in peace, Larry Miller. A Tar Heel forever

Tar Heel Legend Larry Miller Passes Away at 79

Larry Miller, one of the most iconic figures in North Carolina basketball history, passed away on Sunday, May 11, 2025, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, at the age of 79. His death marks the end of a remarkable life and career that helped shape the legacy of Tar Heel basketball.([WRALSportsFan.com][1])

Born on April 4, 1946, in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Miller rose to prominence at Catasauqua High School, where he became a national sensation, averaging 33.6 points per game and receiving over 120 college scholarship offers. He ultimately chose the University of North Carolina, where he would leave an indelible mark on the program.([Wikipedia][2])

Under head coach Dean Smith, Miller played a pivotal role in leading the Tar Heels to back-to-back ACC championships and Final Four appearances in 1967 and 1968. He earned first-team All-America honors in both seasons and was a consensus first-team All-American in 1968, joining a legendary lineup that included Lew Alcindor (later Kareem Abdul-Jabbar), Elvin Hayes, Pete Maravich, and Wes Unseld. ([Keeping It Heel][3], [WRALSportsFan.com][1])

Miller’s individual accolades are numerous. He is the only Tar Heel to win ACC Player of the Year twice and is one of only three players in ACC history to win both the Player of the Year and Tournament MVP honors in consecutive seasons. His streak of 64 consecutive games scoring in double figures remains a UNC record, and his career average of 21.8 points per game ranks fifth in program history. ([WRALSportsFan.com][1], [University of North Carolina Athletics][4])

After college, Miller was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in 1968 but chose to play in the American Basketball Association (ABA), where he enjoyed a successful seven-year career. He played for several teams, including the Los Angeles Stars, Carolina Cougars, San Diego Conquistadors, Virginia Squires, and Utah Stars. Notably, he set the ABA’s all-time single-game scoring record with 67 points in 1972. ([Wikipedia][2], [Chapelboro.com][5])

Miller’s contributions to basketball were recognized with his induction into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2022. His No. 44 jersey hangs in the rafters of the Dean E. Smith Center, a testament to his lasting impact on the UNC program. ([Keeping It Heel][3])

Beyond his on-court achievements, Miller was known for his charismatic personality and dedication to the game. After retiring from professional basketball, he worked in real estate construction and remained connected to his roots in Pennsylvania. ([Wikipedia][2])

The UNC basketball community and fans worldwide mourn the loss of a true legend. As the program stated, “Rest in peace, Larry Miller. A Tar Heel forever.” ([University of North Carolina Athletics]