Richard Francis Dennis Barry III is an American retired professional basketball player who starred at the NCAA, American Basketball Association (ABA) and National Basketball Association (NBA) levels. Barry ranks among the most prolific scorers and all-around players in basketball history. He is the only one to lead the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), ABA, and NBA in points per game in a season. He ranks as the all-time ABA scoring leader in regular season and postseason (33.5) play, while his 36.3 points per game are the most in the NBA Finals history. Barry was also the only player to score at least 50 points in a Game 7 of the playoffs in either league until Stephen Curry and Jayson Tatum both reached that mark in 2023. He is one of only four players to be a part of a championship team in both leagues.
Barry in 2015
Barry's publicity photo in 1972
Barry before the 1969 ABA All-Star Game in Louisville, Kentucky
Barry with the Golden State Warriors in 1976
American Basketball Association
The American Basketball Association (ABA) was a men's professional basketball league from 1967 to 1976. The ABA merged into the National Basketball Association (NBA) in 1976, resulting in four ABA teams joining the NBA and the introduction of the NBA 3-point shot in 1979.
Doug Moe of the Carolina Cougars, 1969–70
Julius Erving performing a slam dunk against the Spirits of St. Louis, 1974
Hall of Famer Rick Barry played for the ABA's Oakland Oaks
Connie Hawkins of the Pittsburgh Pipers won the 1967–68 ABA MVP award