Dick Barnett obit

Legendary Knicks champion Dick Barnett dies at 88

 

He was not on the list.

Knicks legend and two-time NBA champion Dick Barnett died on Sunday at the age of 88.

Barnett played nine seasons in New York from 1965-66 to 1973-74. During that time, the shooting guard helped the Knicks capture two titles in 1970 and 1973 -- the team's only two championships in franchise history.

Following the news of Barnett's death, the Knicks issued a statement:

"We are terribly saddened to hear about the passing of Knicks legend Dr. Richard Barnett. Throughout his illustrious career, Dick Barnett embodied everything it meant to be a New York Knick, both on-and-off-the-court. He left a positive impact on everyone he encountered and this organization is incredibly fortunate to have him be such an integral part of its history. His jersey will forever hang in the rafters of Madison Square Garden, and his play throughout his career will forever be a part of Knicks fans memories. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and teammates in this difficult time."

In nine seasons in New York, Barnett averaged 15.6 points and 2.9 assists across 604 games. He was named an All-Star during the 1967-68 season -- his lone selection.

In 1990, the Knicks retired his jersey number 12.

Barnett spent 14 years in the NBA, playing for the Syracuse Nationals and Los Angeles Lakers before joining New York, and was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2024.

Barnett was also a member of the Cleveland Pipers in the American Basketball League. He played college basketball for the Tennessee A&I State Tigers.

Barnett was born in Gary, Indiana, on October 2, 1936. He 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 State College (now Tennessee State University), to play under 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 Tigers to a 36-game winning streak and three consecutive National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) national championships. He received back-to-back most valuable player honors in the 1958 and 1959 NAIA tournaments. Tennessee A&I became the first historically black college to win an integrated men's basketball title.