He was a 3-year starter along with Cazzie Russell, in what is claimed to be the "greatest basketball era at Michigan."

In the sophomore year, they advanced in the NCAA tournament, eventually losing to Duke in the Final Four.

The senior year, they advanced to the regional final, losing to Kentucky and Adolph Rupp, a season in which Oliver was team captain.

Darden played in the American Basketball Association from 1967 to 1970 as a member of the Indiana Pacers, New York Nets, and Kentucky Colonels.

This biographical article relating to a United States basketball player, coach, or other figure born in the 1940s is a stub.