Dick Barnett, a basketball Corridor of Famer who performed on each New York Knicks NBA championship groups after being a part of a historic faculty powerhouse at Tennessee A&I, has died. He was 88.
The Knicks introduced the loss of life of the previous guard Sunday. There have been no particulars offered about his loss of life.
“Throughout his illustrious career, Dick Barnett embodied everything it meant to be a New York Knick, both on and off the court,” the Knicks stated in an announcement. “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.”
Theodore Parisienne for New York Each day Information
Former basketball participant and New York Knicks legend Dick Barnett is pictured in 2019. (Theodore Parisienne for New York Each day Information)
Barnett performed on the Knicks’ title groups in 1970 and 1973 and reached the Naismith Memorial Basketball Corridor of Fame as each a NBA participant and as a member of his faculty groups at Tennessee A&I (later Tennessee State), the primary HBCU to win a nationwide championship in basketball.
A local of Gary, Indiana, Barnett went on to star for the Tennessee A&I groups that made up one in every of faculty basketball’s first dynasties. The Tigers gained three straight NAIA championships beginning in 1957, with Barnett being chosen an All-American every season and twice being chosen the MVP of the NAIA Match.
He was taken by the Syracuse Nationals with the No. 5 decide within the 1959 draft and in addition performed for the Los Angeles Lakers earlier than coming to the Knicks in 1965. He spent 9 years with the Knicks, averaging 15.6 factors and enjoying on their championship groups in 1970 and 1973.
Barnett is ninth on the Knicks’ profession scoring listing and his No. 12 jersey was retired in 1990.
Barnett led an extended quest for recognition for his faculty staff. The Tigers have been finally enshrined within the Corridor of Fame in 2019, represented on stage by Barnett, and in 2024 visited the White Home to satisfy with Vice President Kamala Harris.
Barnett, who was chosen for one NBA All-Star Recreation, was inducted within the Corridor of Fame as a participant in 2024.
Initially Printed: April 27, 2025 at 7:10 PM EDT
