What is Rick Barry’s net worth?
Rick Barry is an American former professional basketball player who has a net worth of $3 million. Rick Barry is an iconic figure in basketball history, renowned for his scoring prowess, free-throw mastery, and competitive intensity. He is the only player to have led the NCAA, NBA, and ABA in scoring—a testament to his elite talent across all levels. A prolific small forward standing 6’7″, he was a 12-time All-Star, a Finals MVP, and an NBA champion whose distinctive underhand free-throw style left a lasting legacy. Enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1987 and recognized among the NBA’s top 75 players, Barry’s career remains one of the most decorated and distinctive in basketball history.
Early Career & NCAA Stardom
Born March 28, 1944, in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Barry starred at Roselle Park High School before attending the University of Miami. There, he averaged a staggering 37.4 points per game in his senior year, leading Division I and earning All-America honors. His scoring exploits revitalized Miami’s program and set the stage for NBA stardom.
NBA Beginnings & Rookie Impact
Barry was selected fourth overall by the San Francisco Warriors in the 1965 NBA Draft. In his rookie season, he earned Rookie of the Year honors, made the All-NBA First Team, and was selected to his first All-Star Game. In his second season, he led the NBA in scoring with 35.6 points per game, won the All-Star Game MVP by pouring in 38 points, and earned another All-NBA First Team nod.
ABA Success & Legal Battles
Unhappy with his pay and eager for new challenges, Barry jumped to the ABA in 1967 with the Oakland Oaks, signing a groundbreaking three-year, $500,000 contract that included equity and revenue shares. An ensuing legal dispute forced him to sit out the 1967–68 season. Upon finally suiting up, he averaged 34.0 points per game and led the Oaks to an ABA championship while earning a scoring title. He subsequently joined the Washington Capitols and New York Nets, maintaining high scoring averages and continuing to assert dominance.
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Return to NBA & Championship Glory
After his ABA stints, a court-mandated return to the Warriors in 1972 marked the start of Barry’s second NBA tenure. He elevated his game, adding playmaking to his scoring, and averaged over 6 assists per game in several seasons. In the 1974–75 season, Barry led the Warriors to a surprise NBA title, averaging 30.6 points per game, leading the league in free-throw accuracy (.904) and steals, and earning Finals MVP honors. His aggressive play and underhand free-throw technique became hallmarks of his style.
Houston & Retirement
In June 1978, Barry signed as a free agent with the Houston Rockets, where he transitioned to a sixth-man and point-forward role. He set a then-record .947 free-throw percentage during the 1978–79 season. He retired after the 1979–80 season, finishing a 14-year professional career with over 25,000 total points, eight NBA All-Star selections, four ABA All-Star nods, and scoring titles in both the NCAA and NBA.
Contracts, Salary & Career Earnings
Rick Barry was a pioneer in athlete compensation. As a rookie, he earned $15,000 plus a $3,000 signing bonus, but his jump to the ABA made headlines when he signed a three-year deal worth $500,000—an astronomical sum for the time that also included equity in the team and a share of ticket revenue. At the peak of his NBA return in the late 1970s, Barry was earning an estimated $400,000 per year. While modest by today’s standards, these salaries placed him among the highest-paid players of his era. Adjusted for inflation, his total career earnings across both leagues would be roughly equivalent to $25 million today.
Post-Playing Career & Personal Life
After retiring, Barry became a broadcaster and analyst, working with CBS, TBS, and TNT. Known for his blunt honesty and analytical insight, he remained a prominent voice in the sport for years. Later in life, he embraced competitive pickleball, winning national tournaments well into his late 70s and early 80s.
Barry’s basketball legacy continues through his children—four of his sons, including Brent, Jon, and Drew, played professional basketball. Brent Barry won two NBA championships with the San Antonio Spurs, making the Barrys one of the rare father-son duos to each win NBA titles.
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