According to Mark Adams, the head coach of the Pioneers from 1983 to 1987, Richard Miller was one of the main reasons for the success of the Wayland men’s basketball team during the 1984-85 season: “After moving him into the starting lineup, we were able to play a more consistent game….  Richard has really been a stabilizing force and is a very skillful player.” 

That is high praise indeed considering the 1984-85 Pioneers had the most successful season in school history, advancing to the finals of the NAIA Championship Tournament.  It took a last minute basket by heavily-favored Fort Hays State in the overtime period of the title game to finally defeat the Wayland men, who were unranked and unmentioned in the national polls going into the postseason tournament.

Miller came to Wayland in 1984 from Clarendon College where he played two years after a stellar high school career at Hueytown High School near his hometown of Bessemer, Alabama.  While at Clarendon, he led the WJCAC in steals and set a school record for steals in a game. 

A 5’10 guard who was described in the 1984-85 media guide as a great offensive player with outstanding ballhandling skills, Miller moved into the Pioneer starting lineup in December of his first year at Wayland.  He averaged 9.8 points on the season, hitting 52.5 percent from the field, but put in 12.3 points a game after becoming a starter.  He was the team leader in steals with 77 and was second in assists with 85.  He scored a season high 23 points in a game against Abilene Christian.

Miller and the Pioneers repeated as District VIII champions and made a return trip to Kansas City and the national tournament in his senior season.  Although the Wayland men had a better record, 28-6, than the previous year, they were ousted in the second round by eventual national finalist Arkansas-Monticello, 56-51.  Miller led the Pioneers in three categories, averaging 15.9 points, 4.1 assists, and 2.5 steals during the 1985-86 season.  He was named NAIA District VIII Player of the Week twice, earned MVP honors at the Dallas Baptist Classic, was an All-Tournament selection at the Plainview Lions Pioneer Classic, and was a NAIA All-District VIII honoree.  Miller’s final campaign was capped off when he was recognized as a NAIA Honorable Mention All-American. 

During his two years at Wayland, Miller scored 931 points, handed out 224 assists, and recorded 163 steals.  He shot over 52 percent from the field from his guard position