Rick Barry

Rick Barry, born in 1944 in New Jersey, was a skilled professional basketball player. He was an All-Pro forward for the NBA San Francisco/Golden State Warriors and also the New York Nets of the ABA, 1966-1979. A college star at the University of Miami (Florida) in the early-mid 1960s, the 6'7" Barry led the NCAA in scoring.

Teamed with star center Nate Thurmond in San Francisco, Barry led the NBA in scoring and led the Warriors to the NBA Finals in his second season. Angered at not receiving incentive monies he felt owed for these feats from San Francisco manager Al Bianchi, Barry sat out his next season and jumped to the ABA for a much larger contract. He easily starred in the less-talented league, often averaging well over 30 points per game. He led one of his ABA teams, the Oakland Oaks, to the league championship in 1970. Seeking better competition and a return to the his old team, Barry returned to the NBA in 1972.

In 1975, he led the now-Golden State Warriors to the NBA championship. The following year, the Warriors were stunned in the playoffs by the sub-.500 Phoenix Suns. In 1977, they lost to the eventual champion Portland, and its star Bill Walton, in the Western Conference playoffs.

Named one of the 50 Greatest Players Ever by the NBA, Barry is still today considered one of the very best forwards in history. Controversial and outspoken, Barry continues to work in the field of broadcasting, a career he began after retiring from pro basketball.

Three of his sons, Brent, Jon, and Drew ("Scooter"), are players today in the NBA themselves. Brent is an All-Star with the Seattle Supersonics.