Dr. Dick Barnett Bio
Born in Gary, Indiana in 1936 – became an All-State basketball player at ROOSEVELT high school while helping that team to the first game in Indians basketball history where two Black teams met for the state basketball championship. Crispus Attucks won that championship game, led by the great Oscar Robertson. I was recruited by the great coach John McLendon to TENNESSEE A&I.
Enjoyed a successful basketball career at A&I where I was a three time All-AMERICAN – help leading Tennessee A&I to three consecutive national NAIA championships in Kansas City, MO. Was a number one draft choice in the NBA in 1959 with the SYRACUSE Nationals for two years.
I jumped to the (ABL) American Basketball League for one year – New owner George Steinbrenner of the CLEVELAND Pipers. We won the ABL championship. Traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, back to the NBA where I spent three years before being traded to the New York Knicks where I enjoyed much success as a member of two NBA championship teams.
After 14 years in the NBA I retired and became an assistant coach with the New York Knicks for three years. My number was retired and hangs in the rafters of Madison Square Garden. I have been inducted into six Halls of Fame.
