Dick Barnett

Richard "Dick" Barnett (October 2, 1936 – April 27, 2025) was an American professional basketball player who played shooting guard in the National Basketball Association. Born in Gary, Indiana, Barnett was the son of a steel worker and a mother who worked at a candy store; as a youth he found work at a steel mill and made deliveries. He attended Theodore Roosevelt High School, where he became one of the best players in the state of Indiana. In his senior year he led his team to the state championship final, the first such final between two predominantly African American squads, losing to Crispus Attucks High School and Oscar Robertson. He received All-state honors.

Barnett attended Tennessee A&I State, playing college basketball for the Tigers. He went on to play in the NBA for the Syracuse Nationals, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the New York Knicks, winning two NBA championships with the Knicks. He was also a member of the Cleveland Pipers in the American Basketball League.

Barnett was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2024.