Miami (OH) basketball legend Ron Harper to receive honorary degree

Before he became director of Athletics at Miami University, David Sayler would come to the Oxford campus as a Dayton-area high school student to attend the university’s annual basketball camp.

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.”

Ron Harper is Miami's all-time leading scorer.

Harper starred at guard for Miami from 1982-1986, finishing his career with 2,377 points and 1,119 rebounds. Not only are those program highs, but Harper was the first player in the Mid-American Conference to surpass 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds.

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.”

Ron Harper was a first-round draft pick of the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1986. (Photo courtesy of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Getty Images)

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.”