Dick Barnett, the NBA goalkeeper, who won two titles with the New York Knicks and then obtained his doctorate in education, died at the age of 88, the team announced on Sunday after a controversial victory against the Detroit pistons.
No details were provided on his death.
“Throughout his illustrious career, Dick Barnett embodied everything that meant being a New York biwick, on and off the field,” the Knicks said in a statement.
“He left a positive impact on all those he met and this organization has an incredible chance to have it is an integral part of its history. His jersey will forever be hung on the Rafers of Madison Square Garden, and his play throughout his career will always be part of the memories of Knicks fans.
Barnett played in the Knicks title teams in 1970 and 1973 and reached the temple of the Basketball Naismith Memorial basketball as a player and member of its university teams in Tennessee A & I (later Tennessee State), the first HBCU to win a national basketball championship.
Originally from Gary, Indiana, Barnett continued to play for the Tennessee A&I teams which were one of the first university basketball dynasties.
(LR) Walt Frazier, Willis Reed, Bill Bradley and Barnett. Reed and Barnett have both passed
The Tigers won three consecutive NAIA championships from 1957, Barnett being chosen an All-American each season and twice selected the MVP of the NAIA tournament.
He was taken by the nationals of Syracuse with the n ° 5 choice in the 1959 draft and also played for the Los Angeles Lakers before coming to the Knicks in 1965. He spent nine years with the Knicks, with an average of 15.6 points and playing in their championship teams in 1970 and 1973.
Barnett is ninth on the KNICKS marking list and its n ° 12 jersey was removed in 1990.
Barnett led a long quest for recognition of his university team. The tigers were finally enrolled in the renowned temple in 2019, represented on stage by Barnett, and in 2024 visited the White House to meet the vice-president Kamala Harris.
Dick Barnett had a signature shooting style which was emulated by many young Knicks fans
Barnett, who was selected for a NBA stars match, was inducted into the renowned temple as a player in 2024.
Fans of Knicks, who only celebrated a victory in the playoffs, quickly started to cry on Sunday evening.
‘Rip to Knicks Legend !!’ A fan wrote online. “Today’s victory was for you Mr. Barnett! You miss the Knicks fans !! ‘
“We all bound to copy the Dick Barnett rider,” wrote an online fan, referring to the signature shooting of the native of Indiana.
Estimated media members have also cried Barnett, including Bob Ryan from Boston Globe.
“Rip Dick Barnett,” wrote Ryan. “A great player and a great man who obtained a doctorate and who played chess by mail.
Barnett obtained a doctorate in education in Fordham and taught sports management at St. John’s University until 2007.
