Rick Barry, whose name resonates with basketball aficionados as one of the sport’s legendary figures, boasts an estimated net worth of approximately $4 million. Renowned for his scoring prowess and unique underhand free throws, Barry’s financial portfolio extends beyond his celebrated stints in the NBA and ABA, encompassing his roles as a broadcaster and spokesperson.
Barry’s journey in professional basketball is marked by extraordinary achievements and a distinctive playing style that set him apart. His career earnings were significantly bolstered by his skillful performances, which made him a sought-after player in both the NBA and ABA. Barry’s innovative underhand free throw technique, often dubbed a “granny shot,” remains one of the most efficient and iconic elements of his game. After retiring from active play, Rick Barry didn’t step away from the limelight. Instead, he transitioned smoothly into roles that kept him connected to basketball, leveraging his fame to establish a successful career in broadcasting. His insightful commentary and charismatic presence on air have made him a beloved figure off the court as well.
Moreover, Barry’s endorsement deals and partnerships with various sports-related companies have further supplemented his income, illustrating his strategic approach to maintaining and growing his wealth through diverse revenue streams.
Rich Barry’s Achievement List at a Glance
| Achievement | Year | Description |
|---|---|---|
| NBA Champion | 1975 | Won NBA Championship with Golden State Warriors |
| ABA Champion | 1969 | Won ABA Championship with Oakland Oaks |
| NBA Finals MVP | 1975 | Named Most Valuable Player in NBA Finals |
| 12x NBA/ABA All-Star | 1966-1980 | Selected to All-Star games in both NBA and ABA |
| NBA All-Star MVP | 1967 | Named MVP of the NBA All-Star Game |
| 6x All-NBA First Team | 1966, 1967, 1973-1976 | Named to All-NBA First Team |
| 4x All-ABA First Team | 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972 | Named to All-ABA First Team |
| NBA Rookie of the Year | 1966 | Named NBA Rookie of the Year |
| NBA 50th Anniversary Team | 1996 | Named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History |
| NBA 75th Anniversary Team | 2021 | Named one of the 75 Greatest Players in NBA History |
| Free Throw Percentage Leader | Multiple Seasons | Led the league in free throw percentage |
| Basketball Hall of Fame | 1987 | Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame |
Rick Barry’s Net Worth Till Now
In the history of American basketball, he was one of the top scorers and the most accurate free-throw shooters. After his retirement, he started his new work life as a commentator on NBA television broadcasts. He also joined as a college coach in 1990, but his coaching was not like the flourishing of his career. The net worth of this great basketball player is $4 million. All of the properties are from his professional earnings, prize money, and sponsorship.
Childhood and Education
This man came to the world in March 1944. The birthplace of this man is Elizabeth, New Jersey. His full name is Richard Francis Dennis Barry III.
| Full Name | Richard Francis Dennis Barry III |
| Date of Birth | March 28, 1944 |
| Place of Birth | Elizabeth, New Jersey, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) |
| Weight | 205 lbs (93 kg) |
| Playing Position | Small Forward |
| College | University of Miami |
| NBA Draft | 1965 / 1st Round, 2nd Pick Overall |
| NBA Teams Played For | Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, San Francisco Warriors |
| ABA Teams Played For | Oakland Oaks, Washington Caps, New York Nets |
| Career Highlights |
|
| Retired Jersey Number | #24 (Golden State Warriors) |
| Playing Style | Fast-paced scorer, iconic underhand free-throw shooter |
| Coaching Career | Assistant coach, various teams in minor leagues |
| Net Worth (2025) | Estimated at $4 million |
| Business Ventures | Commentary, Sports Radio, Public Speaking Engagements |
| Personal Life | Married to Lynn Barry; 4 children, including NBA player Brent Barry |
| Philanthropy | Involved in charitable basketball camps, youth mentoring |
| Books Written | Confessions of a Basketball Gypsy |
| Other Activities | Basketball analyst, frequent speaker at charity events |
| Notable Quotes | The underhand free throw is all about control and consistency. |
He grew up in New Jersey. In his early life, he went to Roselle Park High School. He studied at the University of Miami from 1962 to 1965. During his university life, he led the National Collegiate Athletic Association and scored 37.4 points per game. That made it more likely that he would be inducted into the all-American team.
NBA Contract History and Drafted Teams
In the 1965 NBA draft, he was selected by the San Francisco Warriors as the second overall pick. In the first season of his career, he was inducted as an All-Star and first-team All-NBA. He continued his journey of success in the play.
He led his San Francisco Warriors team. With his outstanding performance and successful leadership, the Warriors reached the NBA finals. However, they lost to the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA finals.
The San Francisco Warriors could not satisfy him with the salary. Besides, he was not satisfied with Warrior’s coaching. With such dissatisfaction, he left the team. Famous basketball player Wilt Chamberlain also played with the San Francisco Warriors team.
Puzzling Situation in Career
The next phase of his basketball career began with the Oakland Oaks of the upstart ABA. Here he lost one season; he did not take part in this season due to the legal dispute between the two leagues. In 1968-1969, he faced a puzzling situation. Leading the Oaks, he favored his team to win the ABA title. But a difficult situation arose when his team relocated to Washington, D.C. Here, and dissatisfaction arose with Rick Barry. He could not cope with the decision to relocate his team. So he again moved to his old team because he wanted to stay in the Bay Area.
However, according to the court order, he returned to the ABA. Later, he worked for the New York Nets. After two seasons with the New York Nets, where he excelled, he was traded to the Warriors to fulfill the terms of his previous contract.
His six seasons with the Warriors, which is the longest tenure of his professional career, gave his team a dazzling performance. He led his team. With his performance and successful captaincy, the team achieved the NBA title. Averaging 29.5 points, he was the Most Valuable Player.
Last phase of the NBA career
In 1978, he changed his team and contracted with the Houston Rockets. But he could not give this team his best performance. Gradually, his performance fell off.
After disappointing the Houston Rockets for two seasons, he felt the necessity of going into retirement. He retired in 1980. During the season of his being retired, it was the first time in his career that he could not gain All-Star honors.
Seasonal Career Earnings
| Season | Team | Total Earnings |
| 2 Seasons | Los Angeles Clippers | $1.8 Million |
| 1 Season | Miami Heat | $1 Million |
| 1 Season | Chicago Bulls | $3.6 Million |
| 6 Seasons | Seattle SuperSonics | $28.5 Million |
| 4 Seasons | San Antonio Spurs | $14.2 Million |
| 2 Seasons | Houston Rockets | $3.9 Million |
Achievement
During his retirement, the bag of his success was filled with lots of gains. During his retirement, he had a 90% free throw percentage, propelling him to the top of the history of the NBA. In his professional life, he scored 25,000 points and averaged over 30 points in four seasons.
After a 14-year glowing career, he was able to insert his name into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1987. In 1996, his name was inducted into the list of the 50 greatest players in NBA history.
Career Stats:
Here are the key career statistics for Rick Barry:
- NBA/ABA career (1965-1980)
- Games played: 1,020
- Minutes: 36,516
- Points: 25,279 (24.8 PPG)
- Rebounds: 6,863 (6.7 RPG)
- Assists: 4,952 (4.9 APG)
- Steals: 1,395 (1.4 SPG) [Note: Steals were not recorded until the 1973-74 NBA season]
- Blocks: 269 (0.3 BPG) [Note: Blocks were not recorded until the 1973-74 NBA season]
- Field Goal Percentage: 45.6%
- Free Throw Percentage: 89.3%
- Three-point Field Goal Percentage: 29.7% (Note: Three-pointers were introduced in the ABA in 1967 and in the NBA in 1979)
These stats include both his NBA and ABA careers. Remember that some statistical categories were not recorded for the entirety of Barry’s career, as mentioned in the notes.
Rick Barry’s Children and Family
Rick Barry lives in Colorado Springs with his wife, Lynn Barry. In 1965, he got married to Pam Hale; that relationship lasted till 1981. After the separation from Pam Hale, he got married again to Norenberg Barry in 1991.
He has four sons and a daughter. They are Brent, Scooter, Drew, Jon, and Shannon. All are from his first wife. All of the sons are engaged in their basketball careers. His son, Brent, was a member of two championship-winning San Antonio Spurs teams.
Related article: Know NBA player James Worthy’s career achievement
Conclusion
Rick Barry’s contributions to basketball have left a lasting impact on the sport. His exceptional scoring ability, fearless competitive spirit, and unique underhand free-throw shooting style have made him one of the most iconic figures in basketball history. Barry’s net worth is a reflection not only of his successful professional career but also of his continued involvement in the game as a broadcaster and commentator. His influence extends beyond his time on the court, with a legacy that inspires both current and future generations of basketball players.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Rick Barry’s net worth?
Rick Barry’s estimated net worth is around $3 million, accumulated through his basketball career, broadcasting work, and endorsements. - What are Rick Barry’s career highlights?
Rick Barry was an NBA champion, an eight-time All-Star, and the NBA Finals MVP in 1975. He is also known for his underhand free throw technique, which made him one of the most accurate free throw shooters in history. - Did Rick Barry play in both the NBA and ABA?
Yes, Rick Barry played in both the NBA and ABA, where he became a star in both leagues, showcasing his versatile scoring abilities and leading teams to success. - What is Rick Barry doing now?
Rick Barry has been involved in broadcasting, as well as appearing at basketball events and mentoring young players. - Why is Rick Barry’s free throw style famous?
Rick Barry’s underhand free throw style, often called the “granny shot,” is famous for its effectiveness, and he achieved an impressive career free throw percentage of over 90% using this technique.
Over the past five years, Rick C. Nees has written hundreds of NBA players' biographies, some of which have already been published in famous newspapers. He previously worked as- Commentator, Basketball Analyst, Basketball Player, Newspaper Sports Editor, Radio sports presenter. Rick grew up watching basketball leagues. He was a state-level high school basketball player who followed all NBA events since he was a child.
