Current:Home > Contact-usRyan Minor, former Oklahoma Sooners two-sport star, dies after battle with colon cancer-LoTradeCoin
Ryan Minor, former Oklahoma Sooners two-sport star, dies after battle with colon cancer
View Date:2024-12-23 15:53:47
Former Oklahoma Sooners two-sport star Ryan Minor died Friday afternoon after a battle with colon cancer, his twin brother, Damon, announced on social media.
Minor, who was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer last fall, was 49.
"He truly was the best twin brother you can ask for," Damon Minor wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "His family and I want to thank everyone for the prayers and support during this time. BOOMER SOONER."
The Minors joined the Sooners after starring at Hammon High School and led the OU baseball team to the College World Series title in 1994.
"Lost a brother today," wrote Oklahoma State softball coach Kenny Gajewski, a member of the Sooners' 1994 baseball team. "Sending prayers to the Minor Family."
HOT STOVE UPDATES: MLB free agency: Ranking and tracking the top players available.
Ryan Minor was drafted in both the NBA and MLB
On the basketball court, Ryan Minor was a two-time Big Eight scoring champion and the conference's player of the year in 1994-95. He averaged 16.5 points per game in his four-year college career from 1992-96. He was selected 32nd overall by the 76ers in the famed 1996 NBA Draft, one round after Philadelphia selected Allen Iverson first overall.
"The ultimate warrior and fierce competitor," wrote Houston men's basketball coach Kelvin Sampson, who coached Minor in 1994-96 at OU. "The best 3 level scorer I ever coached. Ryan was at his best on the road in the ol Big 8. Thank you for allowing me to coach you, Ryan. I love you and God Bless you."
Minor was also drafted by MLB's Baltimore Orioles, where he famously replaced Cal Ripken Jr. in the starting lineup to end the Hall of Famer's record streak of 2,632 consecutive starts.
After three seasons with the Orioles and one with the Expos, Minor settled in Maryland after becoming a minor-league coach and manager for the Orioles in 2006.
“Been a long time,” Minor told The Oklahoman last year about his time as a Sooner. “People still want to talk about my days there … it’s really remarkable that I feel like I had some type of impact on somebody.
“Just a credit to the people of Oklahoma. They always remember the people that come through there. They always stick with ‘em no matter what.”
veryGood! (24)
Related
- Appeals Court Affirms Conviction of Everglades Scientist Accused of Stealing ‘Trade Secrets’
- In big win for Tesla, more car companies plan to use its supercharging network
- Warming Trends: A Baby Ferret May Save a Species, Providence, R.I. is Listed as Endangered, and Fish as a Carbon Sink
- Trump’s New Clean Water Act Rules Could Affect Embattled Natural Gas Projects on Both Coasts
- Controversial comedian Shane Gillis announces his 'biggest tour yet'
- Louisville’s ‘Black Lives Matter’ Demonstrations Continue a Long Quest for Environmental Justice
- Twitter has changed its rules over the account tracking Elon Musk's private jet
- Europe Seeks Solutions as it Grapples With Catastrophic Wildfires
- Spirit Airlines cancels release of Q3 financial results as debt restructuring talks heat up
- Citrus Growers May Soon Have a New Way to Fight Back Against A Deadly Enemy
Ranking
- What to know about Mississippi Valley State football player Ryan Quinney, who died Friday
- Interest rates up, but not on your savings account
- As Deaths Surge, Scientists Study the Link Between Climate Change and Avalanches
- Larsa Pippen and Marcus Jordan Respond to Criticism of Their 16-Year Age Gap
- Democrat Janelle Bynum flips Oregon’s 5th District, will be state’s first Black member of Congress
- Besieged by Protesters Demanding Racial Justice, Trump Signs Order Waiving Environmental Safeguards
- Texas Justices Hand Exxon Setback in California Climate Cases
- Why Kim Kardashian Is Feuding With Diva of All Divas Kourtney Kardashian
Recommendation
-
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Take the Day Off
-
Could New York’s Youth Finally Convince the State to Divest Its Pension of Fossil Fuels?
-
Tennessee ban on transgender care for minors can be enforced, court says
-
Should Solar Geoengineering Be a Tool to Slow Global Warming, or is Manipulating the Atmosphere Too Dangerous?
-
When does 'Dune: Prophecy' come out? Release date, cast, where to watch prequel series
-
Banks’ Vows to Restrict Loans for Arctic Oil and Gas Development May Be Largely Symbolic
-
Many Nations Receive Failing Scores on Climate Change and Health
-
The Fed continues its crackdown on inflation, pushing up interest rates again