Miami basketball legend to receive honorary degree as part of One Miami
Ron Harper is Miami’s all-time leading scorer; won five NBA championships with Bulls, Lakers
Miami basketball legend to receive honorary degree as part of One Miami
One year, Sayler came away with what would turn into a prized possession: a basketball signed by Ron Harper, Miami men’s basketball standout who was working at the camp.
Sayler still keeps the signed basketball close – under his desk at Millett Hall, a constant reminder of one of Miami’s best players.
Harper, Miami’s all-time leading scorer and an NBA standout who won five championships with the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers, will receive an honorary degree from Miami on Jan. 31 as part of the 2026 One Miami games, presented by E&H Ace Hardware at Millett Hall.
“He was one of the reasons I knew a lot about Miami because I watched him play,” Sayler said of Harper. “I was at the UD Arena in the NCAA Tournament when they played Maryland. He’s one of my favorites of all time. Having the chance to bring him back into the family this way is really a huge step, not just for the program but for the university as well.”
The Cleveland Cavaliers made Harper the No. 8 overall pick in the 1986 NBA Draft. He was runner-up for Rookie of the Year for the 1986-87 season and went on to play for the Los Angeles Clippers, Bulls, and Lakers.
Harper was an integral part of the 1996, 1997, and 1998 NBA Championship Bulls teams and won titles again in 2000 and 2001 titles with the Lakers.
“We are thrilled to welcome Ron back to campus, and we are excited to honor him in this way,” Miami President Gregory Crawford said. “It’s important for the university to stay connected to its history. Ron had a legendary career at Miami and in the Mid-American Conference and went on to play a key role on championship teams for some of the NBA’s most storied franchises.”
Harper averaged 16.1 points during his NBA career, and his 19.8 career scoring average remains tops at Miami.
One Miami on Jan. 31 features a women’s and men’s basketball doubleheader at Millett Hall. The women tip off at 1 p.m. against Ohio University, while the men face Northern Illinois at 3:30 p.m.
Miami's women's basketball team is currently 16-4 overall and a perfect 8-0 in both the MAC and in games played at Millett Hall. Miami's men's basketball team is ranked No. 24 in the latest AP Top 25 poll and is one of three remaining unbeaten teams in the country at 20-0.
Harper’s honorary degree ceremony will occur between games.
“There aren’t many student-athletes who have five NBA championships,” Sayler said. “Having him involved in a big way is pretty important to our program.”
