James Kirby Minter (born November 23, 1929 – August 11, 2009) was an American basketball player.

At a height of 6'6" (1.98 m) tall, he played at the forward position.

Minter, who was born in Marietta, Oklahoma, attended and graduated from Durant High School in 1947, where he also played high school basketball.

After high school, Minter played College basketball at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, with the Savage Storm, from 1947 to 1950.

As a member of a Peoria Caterpillars AAU team, which was composed of the Caterpillar company's employees, he represented the United States men's national basketball team[1] at the 1954 FIBA World Championship, and he was named the Most Valuable Player of the competition.