NBA Champion Dick Barnett, 88, Passes Away

Dr. Richard 'Dick' Barnett, Hall of Fame guard and two-time NBA champion with the New York Knicks, has died at age 88. Renowned for his signature 'Fall Back Baby' jump shot, Barnett played a pivotal role in leading the Knicks to their only two NBA titles in 1970 and 1973, and his No. 12 jersey was retired in 1990. Before his storied NBA career, Barnett was a trailblazer at Tennessee A&I (now Tennessee State University), leading the team to three consecutive NAIA national championships and becoming the first HBCU graduate drafted in the NBA first round. Barnett furthered his education with graduate degrees from NYU and Fordham and later became a professor, mentor, and advocate for education. In 2024, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, a recognition celebrated by teammates and the wider basketball community. Tributes from the Knicks, his alma mater, and peers highlight Barnett’s enduring legacy both on and off the court.