“Fallback, Baby.”
Those words echoed louder than ever inside Madison Square Garden as the New York Knicks held a moment of silence for Dr. Dick Barnett — a basketball pioneer, scholar, and proud product of an HBCU system that shaped one of the NBA’s most underrated legends.
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Before tip-off in Game 5 of their playoff series against the Detroit Pistons, the Knicks dimmed the lights, paused the crowd, and displayed an image of Barnett’s No. 12 jersey on the jumbotron. As the arena stood still, generations of fans — from Harlem to HBCU campuses across the country — reflected on the life of a man who turned grit into greatness.
“Throughout his illustrious career, Dick Barnett embodied everything it meant to be a New York Knick, both on and off the court,” the team said in an official statement. “His jersey will forever hang in the rafters of Madison Square Garden, and his play throughout his career will forever be a part of Knicks fans’ memories.”
A graphic for NBA Hall of Famer Dick Barnett as he was remembered by the New York Knicks.© Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Barnett, who passed away April 26 at the age of 88, starred at Tennessee A&I (now Tennessee State), winning three straight NAIA national titles — a feat no other HBCU team has matched. He joined the Knicks in 1965 and helped lead them to NBA titles in 1970 and 1973. In Game 7 of the ‘70 Finals, while the world focused on Willis Reed’s iconic entrance, it was Barnett who dropped 21 points and locked down Lakers star Jerry West.
Unknown date; Los Angeles, CA, USA: FILE PHOTO; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jerry West (44) dribbles past New York Knicks guard Dick Barnett (12) and Willis reed (19) at The Forum.Darryl Norenberg-USA TODAY Sports
More than just his patented high-arching “fallback” jumper, Barnett brought an intellectual force to the game. After earning his doctorate in education, he taught at St. John’s University and spent decades advocating for youth empowerment through sport and education.
New York Knicks former guard Dick Barnett at Madison Square Garden.© Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
His 2024 Hall of Fame induction came not just as a basketball honor — but a cultural moment, especially for those who saw themselves in his journey.
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HBCU fans, alumni, and students: Let’s keep Dick Barnett’s legacy alive. Honor his game. Study his story. Carry his mission forward. He didn’t just fall back — he rose above.
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