The University of Miami is known for its prestigious football program. 10 members of the College Football Hall of Fame, 2 Heisman Trophy Winners, and 5 national titles. Dozens of NFL greats have attended the U from Frank Gore to Jim Kelly to Warren Sapp. What most of us don’t know off the top of our heads is that prestigious athletes across many sports have donned Miami’s uniform. Here’s a look at NBA Hall of Famer Rick Barry who played for Miami between 1962 and 1965. He is by far the best basketball player to suit up for the U having been an All-American and Division one scoring leader in 1965.

Playing Career

Rick Barry played 12 seasons for 5 teams including two stints with the San Francisco/Golden State Warriors. Rick’s best statistical year was his second, when he averaged 35.6 points per game. During his playing career, Rick was known as a prolific and efficient scorer. He was an 8 time all star, 5 time NBA first team, NBA champion, and NBA Finals MVP. These are the highlights of game 3 of the 1975 finals. The Warriors would go on to sweep the Washington Bullets.

Geneology

Rick Barry had 5 sons - Scooter, Jon, Drew, Brent, and Canyon - play professional basketball. NBA dot com wrote a great story about the Barry brothers carrying on their father’s legacy. The youngest Barry brother is Canyon, who shoots his free throws the same way as his father.

Brent Barry played in the NBA for 14 years and suited up for the Clippers, Miami, Chicago, Seattle, San Antonio, and Houston. He won two NBA championships as a player. He and his father are one of two father and son duos to win titles. This is Brent proving that certain men can indeed dunk. Brent has also judged the NBA channel’s Dunk King, and is a commentator on NBA on TNT and NBA Game Time on NBA TV.

Jon Barry was a journeyman playing for Milwaukee, Golden State, Atlanta, Lakers, Sacramento, Detroit, Denver, Atlanta, and Houston over 14 years. He played in over 800 games starting 36. The best teams he played on were for the Kings in the early 2000s. A team that came within one Robert Horry shot from playing in the finals. Jon wasn’t a star, per se, but he was a steady roll player. Career highlights from Jon.

What’s the Legend’s Legacy?

Everyone wants to know what Rick Barry thinks about basketball. He’s a legend, of course. He spent a good portion of his post retirement career broadcasting basketball games. Barry has also said his fair share of controversial things. Here’s his opinion on Wilt Chamberlain.

Rick Barry had this to say about Steph Curry. For the record I agree. Early on in Steph’s career, after those ankle injuries, nobody could have predicted how dominant he would be.

The bottom line is that Rick Barry is a basketball legend. He’s not only the hands down best basketball player to play at the U, but Rick is universally known to be among the best basketball players of all time. He made the NBA’s 50th Anniversary team, and is a member of the College Basketball Hall of Fame and NBA Hall of Fame. All Miami needs in 2018 and beyond is a Rick Barry like player. Imagine the fun in that.