William Mills

[The_Bionic_Pig]

[The_Bionic_Pig]

  He would dominate in practice but during games he was so-so

[HogInaStrangeLand]

Seems like he played a big role in that Pine Bluff game where we
beat #1 North Carolina (Michael Jordan and company)


That is Balentine..

[dhornjr1]

William Mills was #5. He played one season under Sutton after transferring from the University of Tennessee. He was an unbelievably gifted player. People did actually call him "the next Michael Jordan". However, he reminded me of Dominique Wilkins like someone else said. He always did the reverse cradle two-handed dunk. I thought he was so cool. He was one of the people on drugs that Frank Deford mentioned in his article about Nolan called "Got to do some coaching" that I posted under the "For All The Nolan Haters" Topic.

Interesting story. The day Nolan kicked William off the team, Ken Hatfield's car was parked outside Barnhill Arena. William walked out the doors, walked up to the front of Hatfield's car, stepped up on the hood, and proceeded to walk the entire length of the car. Then stepped off and kept going. From what I heard it was hilarious. He never broke stride. It was like Hatfield's car wasn't even there.

[oldbooniehog]

My grandparents' house was on Elm Street in Fayetteville, just a few blocks from Mardi Gras/Beethoven's/Planet Rock/whatever the heck it's called now.

When Byrd, the shooter, fled Mardi Gras, he ran through my grandparents' front yard and left footprints in the light snow that had been falling that night.


oldbooniehog

[fineswine]

To all of the good folks out there in Hogville.... I am a long-time lurker on this site, and a life-long Hogfan!
Seeing this topic really inspired me to join the nation.  William Arnold Mills from Perkins Georgia is my all-time favorite razorback.  He was #5.  He started for Sutton's last Arkansas team that lost to St. John's as a sophomore.  He did miss that cradle-reverse that was rebounded and put back for two, but it still the sweetest blown dunk ever!  He had 21 points in the game against a very good St. John's team with Chris Mullin.  I've still got his autograph along with a few others after the first red-white game at Barnhill in Nolan's first year.  Mills had 30 in the game, but at the end of the first half, he took a shot that apparently displeased Coach Richardson, because as time was out,  Nolan ripped Mills up for all the world to see (and hear).  A few years later, I was a student at a small college where a former teammate on Sutton's last team, Darryl Scott, was now playing basketball, but he never would discuss Mills, despite my prodding.  He would only say things to the effect that they did not have a problem with one another.  A rumor I heard during this time, was that he had tried out for a CBA team, but was maybe the 4th best player at the tryout.  Again, I can't confirm this.  Thanks for the memories William!

[Kevin]

transferred from georgia.  his best year at arkansas was his redshirt year.  nobody in practice could stop him.  i thought he was going to be an all-american.  i don't think he lived up to the potential.  had a great personality.   i had classes with him and saw him at the clubs, huge smile.  to bad the way it end.

[arkhogdog61]

always had on one of those big thick gold choker necklace's, and he had a huge neck.

[noprayerfornutt]

william mills..man that is old skool..lol..remember a guy name willie cuts same as mills but he is still around

I roomed with Willie Cutts at Eddie Sutton's Razorback Basketball camp, and won a camp championship with him on my team. Mills and Cutts. Blasts from the past!!

Willie Cutts- Bryant Class of 1982.  I remember Eddie Sutton coming to watch our gym to watch Willie play.  That was awesome.  Cutts was a helluva player that really blew his opportunity when he got to the Hill.

[PulledPork]

I back up the #5 statement, that was his number.  I just remember that Nolan disliked his "Bravado" and I thought that was the reason he was dismissed.  That boy could jump!  Definitely one of my favs to play for the Hogs.  He is right up there with Balentine, Huery, Corlid, and Mayberry.

[Hog74]

Willie Cutts doesn't get out much anymore.

Photo is compliments of D.O.C.

[attachment deleted by admin]

[HogginIT]

I mentioned earlier that Mills used to work for me some after he was done with basketball. Every morning, some little blonde, kind of chunky gal would bring him to work. As I mentioned, I used to get after him pretty good about wasting all his talent. The thing of it was, he always totally agreed with me.

This was back when Todd Day and all those guys were playing for the Hogs. I remember asking him if he could take Day one on one and he always said that he could.

[whatsshakinbacon]

William was a good guy he just got mixed up in then drug scene. My wife and I first apartment together was right below Kenny Hutchinson and his brother Doug, William was always around. He was a great talent but he had really wasted it. It was a tragic the way he died. Byrd is the man, a former UA trackster, who killed him at Mardi Gras. He wore #5. Kenny was another great kid who had talent but really struggle with tne pressure and also got mixed up in drugs. Last I heard of Kenny was he was living at Atlanta and doing very well. Unfortunately his broither Doug committed suicide in Fayetteville around the holidays. Anyone in NWA with kids in youth basketball knew Douglas.

jk - did Douggie really kill himself?  What are the details?  I managed the BBall team late 80's and got to know Douggie real well...he was, well, a character to say the least.  Nolan loved that kid.  Damn...

Bacon out...

[PulledPork]

In my earlier post I was confuzed about the Balentine issue, I meant the other # 24, Lenzie Howell.

[pignatious]

William Mills was the most incredible athletle I ever saw play for the Razorbacks. The guy was going to be the next Jordan. Didn't have the fire to win and get better that MJ had, but he may have had more talent. Could play defense, steal, shoot the jumper, go inside, rebound, jump out of the gym and do it all spectacularly. I still remember a full speed reverse 360 dunk in Barnhill that he made on a breakaway and going by and giving Sutton a high five. I went to practices just to see that guy play. He had star written all over him. Unfortunately, he knew it and it got the best of him. When I think of wastes of talent he comes to my mind along with Marcus Dupree from OU. Had the world laid out in front of them and blew it. It was similar to watching Matt Jones in football. Any given play could be something incredible, or his mind just wasn't in the game and he was way off.

Kenny Hutchinson was probably Mills downfall as he was big time druggie and they were real tight. Way over rated, could not hit an outside shot at all. I had real high hopes for that team, but Sutton and his assistant at the time were both under the influence too, so discipline and coaching were sorely lacking.

[dhornjr1]

I mentioned earlier that Mills used to work for me some after he was done with basketball. Every morning, some little blonde, kind of chunky gal would bring him to work. As I mentioned, I used to get after him pretty good about wasting all his talent. The thing of it was, he always totally agreed with me.

This was back when Todd Day and all those guys were playing for the Hogs. I remember asking him if he could take Day one on one and he always said that he could.

I bet he could have took Day one on one. William Mills was UNBELIEVABLE! Words can't describe how good he could have been. He could have been a Dominique Wilkins or a Tracy McGrady type impact player. GREAT SMILE! GREAT PERSONALITY.........Damn drugs.

[Ugly Uncle]

Someone posted that "he was ahead of his time."  He was.  I think he could have been the best player that Arkansas had ever seen on the hill.  I remember hearing about his death.  I won't ever forget that dunk against Texas...some of the other plays that he made.  He could have been a super star in the NBA.  I remember watching the games back then...and there seemed to be a buzz in the crowd everytime he touched the ball.  He was my favorite player as a kid...

[PulledPork]

I don't think Day could hold a candle to Mill's shadow, anybody could post up on Day and score......

Day really embarrassed himself when he got Bitchslapped by Larry Johnson.

[hamsam]

I think his number was 44. He was unbelievable. Never forget the night he dunked over 3 Texas players and hung on the rim with one hand and pointed at each one, one at time. They called a technical foul, but it was worth it.

Pretty sure he was # 5.

[MCPeePants]

I'll never forget when Mills was trying to inbound the basketball from the side and no one was open and he actually shot the ball from out of bounds and nailed it!!! The refs gave the ball to the opposing team. I can't remember who we were playing.

I was at that game - I think we may have been playing Baylor. But I think Mills was actually shooting the ball, I think he was trying to do a long-distance alley-oop pass which accidentally went in.

Watching the outside shooting form of Sanders of Ole Miss the other night brought back memories of Mills. Mills shot his outside shots spread-eagle and Sanders shoots kinda the same way. 

[Ugly Uncle]

During that Baylor game...we had a 7' named Carpenter or something like that...that was under the goal.  It looked like the pass was made to him.  But he was so clumsy that he just backed up and didn't jump for it.  The ball went strait into the net.

[21chill]

I was in Fayetteville from 85' - 91' and knew all of these guys very well.  Michael Byrd was an 800m guy from Longview, TX  and an excellent student. He was very well spoken, articulate, and was known for working with underprivilaged kids in NW Ark.  Even though he was a gun enthusiast, what happened was a total shock to everyone that knew him.  I know the inside story but it would serve no purpose to discuss it here.  The latter Sutton teams and early Nolan teams were filled with hardline party guys. I know of numerous instances of players staying up all night and going directly to games without any sleep.  Several players on those teams had major NBA talent. It was a shame about Hutch's Half bro Dougie - he was a helluva guy.   

[hogwood]

Hey guys, just doing some digging on this old school player and found this thread. There is a lot of talk of some of the plays he made as well as his overall game. I'm wondering if there are any highlights out there?

[HognitiveDissonance]

I was in Fayetteville from 85' - 91' and knew all of these guys very well.  Michael Byrd was an 800m guy from Longview, TX  and an excellent student. He was very well spoken, articulate, and was known for working with underprivilaged kids in NW Ark.  Even though he was a gun enthusiast, what happened was a total shock to everyone that knew him.  I know the inside story but it would serve no purpose to discuss it here.  The latter Sutton teams and early Nolan teams were filled with hardline party guys. I know of numerous instances of players staying up all night and going directly to games without any sleep.  Several players on those teams had major NBA talent. It was a shame about Hutch's Half bro Dougie - he was a helluva guy.

I seem to remember someone named Michael Byrd from a church-related thing.
Wonder if it was the same guy.

I would like to read the 'inside story' on this shooting if you don't mind PM'ing me.


I would also add that while agreeing that William Mills was a gifted athlete and fine basketball player, I think there is some revisionist history going on here. He wasn't as good a basketball player as Todd Day, for example...and certainly wasn't the 'next MJ'. The main thing lacking was a consistent perimeter shot. Had moments where he would knock down jumpers, but to call it consistent would be a stretch. But definitely a gifted athlete, very muscular, could drive in the lane and have his way...and a good shooter. Really good college player when focused.

Mills still has one of the best dunks I've seen in person. One game he got the ball at the top of the key and drove into a crowded lane of defenders and did a reverse dunk at the rim. Very impressive. Usually you only see a guy do that on a breakaway. To reverse dunk on somebody in heavy traffic was amazing.

The other dunk that comes to mind was George Ackles of UNLV catching a ball around the free-throw line and throwing a cross-handed vicious dunk on someone's face in that #1 vs #2 game in 1991.

[Hogcephus]

He was my favorite player when I was a kid. I wore number 5 because of him in school ball. I met him at the red-white game Nolan's first year. I had an ink pen shaped like a basketball player with #5 on his jersey. He used that to sign his autograph for me and he really got a kick out of it.

[Leadbelly]

I'll never forget when Mills was trying to inbound the basketball from the side and no one was open and he actually shot the ball from out of bounds and nailed it!!!  The refs gave the ball to the opposing team.  I can't remember who we were playing.

Lol, if memory serves, that play or shot was legal in international basketball at the time.

[Hawgk]

Kenny hutchinson was cook for farm house in early 90,s dont know what happened to him after that

[UnknownNobody]

https://apnews.com/42fef0376a5877a56a9a4b764fd1b600

[jlrock]

Yes he played in the St. Johns game.  Remember him as he did more than some realize got out on the break and missed a reverse jam, I think Kenny Hutchinson got the ball and finished. Could not get a call or stops down the stretch.  Kleine was on the team.  Was the game that Sutton sat up in the bleachers mad at the refs and then crawled to Kentucky.

[arkansas1994]

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=william+mills+arkansas+basketball&&view=detail&mid=89C99D32E6692E6B454389C99D32E6692E6B4543&&FORM=VRDGAR&ru=%2Fvideos%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dwilliam%2Bmills%2Barkansas%2Bbasketball%26FORM%3DHDRSC3

[UnknownNobody]

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=william+mills+arkansas+basketball&&view=detail&mid=89C99D32E6692E6B454389C99D32E6692E6B4543&&FORM=VRDGAR&ru=%2Fvideos%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dwilliam%2Bmills%2Barkansas%2Bbasketball%26FORM%3DHDRSC3

Mills was perfect for the today's basketball, he could stroke the "3" and pass the ball with equal measure and played above the rim. Today he would be a 6'7 point forward.

[pghawg1]

HE WAS #5. I thought he was the next coming of Micheal Jordan.

He was #5. One very good b-ball player.

[Hoglegs]

Mardi Gras was where Mermaid's is now.

[leroyhawg]

Willie "Cocaine Cutts"

[TheRazorback500]

https://apnews.com/42fef0376a5877a56a9a4b764fd1b600

I didn't realize he'd been kneecapped, and then practically executed. Horrible way to lose your life. I liked his game. Sad.

[leroyhawg]

He had the talent of a Jordan, I wish the the younger fans could have saw some of the players we had, Alvin Robertson hasn't been mentioned probably because of his alleged role in Sex Trafficking, he was cleared but he did do time in the big house, he could do it all Defense specialist several 40 point games for the Spurs, Sutton would find great players with troubled youth, stick them in JC and bring them in when they were ready Darrel and Alvin, could beat anyone. I think Muss is getting ready to start leaving his legacy, he already has.

[Hog are ya]

Mardi Gras was where Mermaid's is now.

It was originally the Gazebo. That's what it was called when Mills was actually playing for the hogs and hanging out there.  i had a casual, distant friend if you will, that was a big time running buddy with Mills.  I hung out with them a few times.  They were always smoking weed, but I don't think the heavy stuff got bad for him till after he was finished playing.  (At least I never saw it anyway)

[OneLardAlmighty]

He played some in 1986 with Byron Irvin and Mike Ratliff. I seem to remember that he was shot by an ex- razorback track member. He really could have been great.

Yeah, pretty sure he played in the 86 game where we blew out #6 Kansas in Barnhill.  That was the NIT year and the first sign that Nolan was going to turn things around.  I think he had a monster dunk in that game.  Believe Huery was a freshman. 

[ImHogginIt]

Looks like his killer died in 2016

https://www.arkansasonline.com/obituaries/2016/jan/16/michael-byrd-2016-01-16/

[Ex-Trumpet]

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=william+mills+arkansas+basketball&&view=detail&mid=89C99D32E6692E6B454389C99D32E6692E6B4543&&FORM=VRDGAR&ru=%2Fvideos%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dwilliam%2Bmills%2Barkansas%2Bbasketball%26FORM%3DHDRSC3

Wow, that brings back memories!!!  Back in the Good ole' days when we played in "Barnhill South!"

[Ex-Trumpet]

Looks like his killer died in 2016

https://www.arkansasonline.com/obituaries/2016/jan/16/michael-byrd-2016-01-16/

Doesn't appear to have spent a lot of time in prison--especially for a premeditated cold-blooded murder.

[Bucksnout]

Wow, that brings back memories!!!  Back in the Good ole' days when we played in "Barnhill South!"

Wow. And half court line went between me and Mama's seat, upper deck, row 3.

[Danimal]

I worked in the men's suit section of a Fayetteville department store during his playing days. He came in and bought a sport coat from me one day -- pulled a stack of 100's out of his front pocket at least a quarter inch thick when he paid for the coat..

[doc53]

Kenny and William both would have had outstanding pro careers if it were not for the drugs.

[porkrindjimmy]

I was good friends with Michael Byrd. It was a bad deal all around.

He passed away from a stroke a few years back.

Sad deal for William. Sad deal for Mike. Both highly talented guys.

PRJ

[hogwood]

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=william+mills+arkansas+basketball&&view=detail&mid=89C99D32E6692E6B454389C99D32E6692E6B4543&&FORM=VRDGAR&ru=%2Fvideos%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dwilliam%2Bmills%2Barkansas%2Bbasketball%26FORM%3DHDRSC3

Thank you!

[Dwillhog66]

William was a good guy he just got mixed up in then drug scene.  My wife and I first apartment together was right below Kenny Hutchinson and his brother Doug, William was always around.  He was a great talent but he had really wasted it.   It was a tragic the way he died.   Byrd is the man, a former UA trackster, who killed him at Mardi Gras.   He wore #5.  Kenny was another great kid who had talent but really struggle with tne pressure and also got mixed up in drugs.   Last I heard of Kenny was he was living at Atlanta and doing very well.   Unfortunately his broither Doug committed suicide in Fayetteville around the holidays.  Anyone in NWA with kids in youth basketball knew Dougie.   

I remember Hutchinson. If I'm remembering correctly he was a very good player under Sutton but didn't fit Nolan's system at all. I thought he was going to be a deadly defender under Nolan but it never happened.

[nonoffensiveposter]

I think his number was 44.  He was unbelievable.  Never forget the night he dunked over 3 Texas players and hung on the rim with one hand and pointed at each one, one at time.  They called a technical foul, but it was worth it.

Believe he wore #5

[snoblind]

It was originally the Gazebo. That's what it was called when Mills was actually playing for the hogs and hanging out there.  i had a casual, distant friend if you will, that was a big time running buddy with Mills.  I hung out with them a few times.  They were always smoking weed, but I don't think the heavy stuff got bad for him till after he was finished playing.  (At least I never saw it anyway)

Not the original name.  Gaslight Harbor, IIRC, when I was in school.  I think the building was originally a Gibson's or one of the other discount stores Walmart eventually put out of business.

[Kevin]

Gazebo Friday night buffet