Dick Barnett

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Lore & Background

Barnett's path to the NBA began at Tennessee A&I State College, where he earned the nickname "Dick the Skull" as a freshman. He became famous for his trademark "question mark" jump shot, an unusual technique involving kicking his legs back while releasing the ball with his left hand. This style allowed him to taunt defenders by saying, "Too late; Fall back baby." As a three-time Associated Press Little College All-American, he helped the Tigers secure a 36-game winning streak and three consecutive NAIA national championships in 1957, 1958, and 1959. Barnett graduated as the school's all-time scorer with 3,209 points, averaging 23.6 points per game over 136 contests.

In Their Own Story

Selected fourth overall by the Syracuse Nationals in the 1959 NBA draft, Barnett initially served as a sixth man behind Larry Costello and Hal Greer, averaging 12.4 points as a rookie. In 1961, he signed with the Cleveland Pipers of the American Basketball League, winning a championship before a court order barred him from playing that season. The Syracuse Nationals sold his rights to the Los Angeles Lakers for $35,000 on September 7, 1962, the highest player-for-money transaction in league history at the time. Nicknamed "Fall Back Baby" by announcer Chick Hearn, he averaged 16.8 points with the Lakers. On October 14, 1965, he was traded to the New York Knicks for Bob Boozer and cash. There, he led the team in scoring during his first season with a 23.1 average and made his only All-Star appearance in 1968.

Reader's Guide

Barnett's impact on the New York Knicks is defined by two championship victories against the Los Angeles Lakers. In 1970, he helped the team secure their first NBA title, followed by a second championship in 1973. He was released on October 23, 1973, concluding a career that saw him score 15,358 regular-season points. His legacy with the Knicks is honored by the retirement of his No. 12 jersey in the rafters of Madison Square Garden in 1990. Beyond the court, Barnett earned an MBA from New York University and a PhD in education from Fordham University. He taught Sports Management at St. John's University from 2003 to 2007 and was the subject of the 2022 documentary film The Dream Whisperer.

Did You Know?

• Barnett attended Tennessee A&I State College, where he became the school's all-time scorer with 3,209 points.
• He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2024, and his college team (1957–59 Tigers) was inducted in 2019.
• Barnett's unique shooting motion earned him the nickname "Fall Back Baby" from Lakers announcer Chick Hearn.
• He scored 15,358 regular-season points in his NBA career and made one All-Star appearance in 1968.
• After retiring, he earned a PhD in education from Fordham University and taught at St. John's University.