Former BYU star Roland Minson, who helped lead Cougars to 1951 NIT championship, dies at age 90

PROVO — One of the best scorers and first stars of the BYU basketball program, Roland Minson, died Wednesday at the age of 90.

Minson’s No. 11 jersey was retired in 2013. He joined Mel Hutchins, Danny Ainge, Kresimir Cosic and coach Stan Watts as the only Cougars to have their basketball jerseys retired. 

In 1951, Minson and Hutchins, who passed away a little more than one year ago at the age of 90, led BYU to 28 victories and the National Invitation Tournament championship, back when the NIT winner was considered by some as the national champion. 

Minson, a native of Idaho Falls, was named MVP of the 1951 NIT at Madison Square Garden in New York City. 

”It meant a lot to (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) and the school because it was the first national championship BYU had ever won,” Watts once said.

Nicknamed “The Cat,” Minson finished with 1,407 career points, ranking No. 21 all-time. He was the school’s all-time leading scorer until he was eclipsed by Kresimir Cosic in 1973. 

Minson and Hutchins, who wore No. 14, had their jerseys retired together in a ceremony in February, 2013. 

”The thing that has been nicest for me,” Minson said at the time, “is I’ve been able to go back and renew all the good memories.”

Following his BYU career, the New York Knicks selected Minson in the second round (No. 16 overall) in the 1951 National Basketball Association draft. However, Minson chose to serve as an officer in the Navy during the Korean War instead of playing in the NBA.

On Tuesday, former BYU and Utah State coach Ladell Andersen passed away at age 90.