High flying guard Dick Barnett, who helped the New York Knicks win their only NBA Championships in 1970 and 1973, has died at the age of 88 in an assisted living facility in Largo, Fla. No cause of death was given.
Dick Barnett guarding the great Jerry West
Born in segregated Gary, Ind. circa 1936, he led Roosevelt High to the state finals in 1955, where they lost to Indianapolis Crispus Attucks High School and their Hall of Fame guard Oscar Robertson. Moving south to historically Black Tennessee State University, he led them to three straight National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Championships.
Moving up to the National Basketball Association in 1961, he proved to be a solid professional prior to his trade to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he became an indispensable sixth man behind superstars Elgin Baylor and Jerry West. He enjoyed fan acclaim with his unorthodox left handed jump shot, prompting announcer Chick Hearn to utter the colorful phrase “Fall Back Baby” every time Barnett made a basket.
By 1965 with a trade to the New York Knicks, he enjoyed his greatest success during the last eight years of his career, including with his only selection to the All-Star roster in 1968. One of his most stellar performances occurred in the 1970 Finals, when he scored 21 points while guarding the immortal Jerry West on their way to the Knicks’ first league title. They followed up with an additional championship in 1973, the year of his retirement.
A marginal student as a teen, Barnett had what might be called an “educational epiphany” after his playing days. This led to a masters degree in public administration from New York University, followed up by a PhD. in education from Fordham University.
Dr. Richard Barnett spent his remaining years as a professor at St. John’s University, wrote 23 books, and was a sought after lecturer and motivational speaker.
“As long as we have one Black child with a chance to get out of the ghetto, then we must coordinate our efforts and do whatever is necessary to help,” he explained on his pursuit of a second career.
“I just don’t go along with the theory of retiring and taking it easy.”
Aside from these academic achievements, Dick Barnett was a three time college All American, had his number 12 jersey retired by the New York Knicks, and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2024.