As a college player at Indiana University, May led the Hoosiers to an undefeated record and national championship in the 1975–76 season.

Born in Sandusky, Ohio, Scott May played as a 6'7" forward for Bob Knight and the Indiana University Hoosiers from 1973 to 1976.

The Hoosiers were so dominant that four starters – May, Steve Green, Kent Benson and Quinn Buckner – would make the five-man All-Big Ten team.

He won a gold medal as a member of the United States basketball team in the 1976 Summer Olympics.

[citation needed] May had two sons – Scott May Jr. and Sean May – who continued his tradition of basketball play.

His younger son, Sean, helped North Carolina win a national championship in 2005 and played for the NBA Sacramento Kings and Charlotte Bobcats.