Dick Barnett

Player

Birthday October 2, 1936

Birth Sign Libra

Birthplace Gary, Indiana, U.S.

Age 87 years old

Nationality United States

#50784 Most Popular

1936

Richard Barnett (born October 2, 1936) is an American former basketball player who was a shooting guard in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Syracuse Nationals, Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks.

He won two NBA championships with the Knicks.

Barnett was also a member of the Cleveland Pipers in the American Basketball League.

He played college basketball at Tennessee A&I College.

Barnett attended Theodore Roosevelt High School in a segregated society.

Although he struggled as a student at school, he became one of the best basketball players in the state of Indiana.

As a senior, he led his team to the state basketball championship, which was the first final where 2 predominant African American basketball squads faced each other.

The team lost to Crispus Attucks High School and their future NBA star Oscar Robertson.

He received All-state honors.

Barnett accepted a basketball scholarship from Tennessee A&I College, to play under legendary coach John McLendon.

As a freshman, he was given the nickname "Dick the Skull".

He was known for his trademark "question mark" jump shot, with an unusual technique of kicking his legs back as he released the ball with his left hand, taunting the defenders by saying, "Too late; Fall back baby".

He became a three-time Associated Press Little College All-American, helping the school to a 36-game winning streak and three consecutive NAIA national championship titles.

1958

He received back-to-back championship MVP honors in 1958 and 1959.

Barnett graduated as the school's All-time scorer with 3,209 points for a 23.6 average in 136 games, while also recording 1,571 career rebounds for an 11.6 average, a career shooting percentage of 44.8 and 80.0 from the free throw line.

1959

Barnett was selected by the Syracuse Nationals (now the Philadelphia 76ers) in the first round (4th overall) of the 1959 NBA draft.

He was used in a sixth man role behind guards Larry Costello and Hal Greer.

As a rookie, he averaged 12.4 points per game.

1960

In the 1960–61 season, he scored 16.9 points, which ranked seventh among the league's backcourt players.

1961

In 1961, he signed with the Cleveland Pipers of the American Basketball League (ABL), which were owned by George Steinbrenner (the future owner of the New York Yankees) and coached by John McLendon.

He was a part of the 1961–62 ABL Championship team.

On December 21, 1961, the Nationals won a court order barring him from playing that season in the rival American Basketball League.

1962

On September 7, 1962, the Syracuse Nationals sold his player rights to the Los Angeles Lakers, for $35,000, which at the time was the highest player-for-money transaction in league history.

He was also used in a sixth man role with the Lakers, behind Elgin Baylor and Jerry West.

He helped the team win the Western Division title after West missed 27 games with a leg injury.

Famous Laker announcer Chick Hearn nicknamed him "Fall Back Baby".

Off the court, he was also known for his sharp wit.

He averaged 16.8 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists during his 3 seasons with the team.

1965

On October 14, 1965, he was traded to the New York Knicks in exchange for Bob Boozer and cash considerations.

In his first season, he led the team in scoring with a 23.1 average.

1968

In 1968, he made his only All-Star appearance.

1970

In 1970, he helped the Knicks beat the Lakers for the NBA title.

1986

In 1986, he was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame.

1990

In 1990, the school retired his No. 12 Jersey.

1993

In 1993, he was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame.

2005

In 2005, he was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.

2007

In 2007, he was inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame, along with his coach John McLendon.

2012

In 2012, he was named to the NAIA 75th Anniversary All-Star Team.

2016

In 2016, he was inducted into the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame.

2019

In 2019 the 1957–59 Tennessee A&I Tigers men's basketball team was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.