1976 BYU Hall of Fame

Roland Minson was a three-year letterman in basketball at BYU and was co-captain of the team his senior year. A member of the 1951 NIT championship team, he was voted the most valuable player in that tournament. He also received the 1951 BYU Basketball Most Valuable Player Trophy.

A first team All-Conference selection his sophomore, junior and senior years, he set a new record for total points scored during his career at BYU. He also led the team in assists. As a sophomore Roland was voted the most outstanding newcomer in 11 western states. During his senior year he was selected to play in the East-West All-Star Game in Madison Square Garden.

Roland was the first round draft choice of the New York Knicks in 1951, but he put aside his basketball career for three years of service as an officer in the Navy during the Korean War. Following his release from active duty, the Knicks again offered him a contract, but he chose to work in the banking industry, which allowed him more time with his family.

Roland was an assistant basketball coach at BYU for two years and officiated basketball games in the WAC. He received his B.S. degree from BYU in 1951.

On February 16, 2013, Minson's jersey was retired by BYU alongside his former teammate Mel Hutchins.

Minson and his wife, Carol, raised seven children. Minson died in his home in Afton, Wyoming, on January 1, 2020. He was 90 years old.

• Averaged 10.8 points per game
• Earned first-team all-conference honors
• Named Most Outstanding Newcomer in 11 western states

• Appeared in 32 games and averaged 12.0 points and 2.8 rebounds as a junior
• Earned first-team all-conference honors
• Received second-team All-NCAA tournament honors

Summary from the 1949-50 Media Guide

Unanimously chosen as the outstanding sophomore player in the eleven western states last year, Minson was also one of the most sought-after high school athletes in the country. An "athlete's athlete," cat-like Minson can dart back and forth on the basketball floor like a football player in a broken field. The fans' favorite since they first saw him in action, Roland is noted among team mates for his amazing floor vision, the ability to spot a man in the best scoring position and get the ball to him before most players could bat an eyelash. Minson is generally regarded by sportswriters, coaches, and opposing players as one of the clever­est floor men in modern cage annals. A deadly shot, he can shoot from any position and at any time he gets the ball. Seems to be at his best under the greatest game tension and delights his follow­ers with his terrific spring and near-perfect timing and coordination.

• Averaged team highs of 16.7 points and 2.7 assists and added 5.0 rebounds as the Cougars won the NIT championship
• Was named the 1951 NIT MVP
• Named fourth-team All-American by the Converse Yearbook and honorable mention by AP, Look, International Press and UPI
• Named first-team all-conference
• Received the BYU Basketball Most Valuable Player Trophy
• Played in the East-West All-Star Game in Madison Square Garden
• A co-captain for the Skyline Conference regular season champions

Summary from the 1950-51 Media Guide

"The Cat" was one of Brigham Young's terrible trio last year, often finishing with the highest score of the evening. Along with Nelson and Hutchins he was a unanimous choice for all-conference honors last year and shared NCAA second team with Hutch. In his sophomore year he was chosen the outstanding new­comer of eleven western states, and this year should be his best. His alert movements on the court have won him the title of "Cat" and he is always a favorite with the fans. His secret is an uncanny floor vision or sense which enables him to spot a free man or sense where the ball is going and do something about it in an in­stant. The scribes and players consider him one of the cleverest · floor men in the game, and his deadly shooting from any position is enough to take the heart out of the opposition. His forte is a tremendous jump shot from high in the air.