Ryan Minor GoFundMe

Former OU basketball and baseball star Ryan Minor (right) and his family (left).  

 Image via Ryan Minor's GoFundMe

Former Oklahoma basketball and baseball standout Ryan Minor died on Friday afternoon following a year-long battle with colon cancer.

Minor, who was 49 years old, was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer in the fall of 2022. His twin brother Damon Minor, a former San Francisco Giants and Oklahoma baseball player, confirmed Ryan’s death on X, the app formerly known as Twitter.

“After a courageous and hard fought battle,” Damon said in his post, “I’m sad to say that Ryan lost his fight with cancer this afternoon. He truly was the best twin brother you can ask for. His family and I want to thank everyone for the prayers and support during this time. BOOMER SOONER.”

Ryan will be remembered as one of the most dominant two-sport players in Oklahoma’s history. In basketball, he was named as the 1994-95 Big Eight Conference Player of the Year as a junior by the Associated Press and the U.S. Basketball Writers Association, and co-player of the year by the league's head coaches.

During his senior season, Ryan was named as an AP honorable mention All-American after averaging 23.9 points and 8.4 rebounds per game under former OU and now-Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson. He finished his career at Oklahoma as the program’s sixth-leading all-time scorer and became the first OU player to register 1,800 points, 700 rebounds and 150 steals in a career.

“The ultimate warrior and fierce competitor,” Sampson said in a X/Twitter post. “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.”

Alongside his accomplishments in basketball, Ryan was also a force at the plate. He played alongside his twin brother for three seasons, joining the team late due to OU’s basketball season.

Ryan finished his baseball career with a .266 career batting average alongside 11 home runs, 15 doubles, 43 RBIs and 44 runs scored. He was also one of the guiding forces to the Sooners 1994 College World Series national championship, its second in program history.

Due to his excellence in both sports, Ryan was drafted by both the Baltimore Orioles in the 33rd round of the 1996 MLB Draft and the Philadelphia 76ers selected with the No. 32 pick in the 1996 NBA Draft. While his stint in the NBA didn’t last long, he played three seasons with Baltimore before retiring and becoming a minor league coach.

During his three year stint in the big leagues, Minor famously replaced legendary shortstop and third basemen Cal Ripken Jr. after starting an MLB-record 2,632 consecutive games.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of former third baseman and longtime minor league manager Ryan Minor, “ the Orioles X account posted on Friday, “who courageously fought cancer. Our thoughts and prayers are with Ryan’s family and friends at this time."

Ryan is survived by his wife, Alyson, and his two children.

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