Rick Barry 1975 Finals MVP

Lore & Background

Barry is widely known for his unorthodox underhand free throw technique. His career .880 free throw percentage ranks No. 1 in ABA history, and his .900 percentage was the best of any NBA player at the time of his retirement in 1980. In 1987, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. In 1996, he was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History. In October 2021, Barry was honored as one of the league's greatest players of all time by being named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.

Reader's Guide

Barry was drafted by the San Francisco Warriors with the second pick of the NBA draft. In his pro debut, the team more than doubled its wins total from 17 to 35. He won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award after averaging 25.7 points and 10.6 rebounds per game in the 1965–66 season. He later played in the ABA for the Oakland Oaks, Washington Caps, and New York Nets, winning an ABA championship with the Oaks in 1969.

Did You Know?

• Barry is the father of former professional basketball players Brent Barry, Jon Barry, Drew Barry, Scooter Barry, and Canyon Barry.
• His wife, Lynn Norenberg Barry, was a star basketball player at the College of William & Mary, where she became the first female athlete to have her jersey number (22) retired.
• Barry wore jersey number 24 in tribute to New York Giants superstar Willie Mays.