Rick Barry: From NBA Legend to Pickleball Evangelist
Some people name-drop. With Rick Barry, itโs more like a name-deluge. The former NBA and ABA star has a treasure trove of stories featuring conversations with fellow basketball Hall of Famers, life-changing advice from golf icons, and even a recent encounter with a Heisman Trophy winner. Yet, itโs his admiration for the rising star of pickleball, Anna Leigh Waters, that truly captivates him.
Two years ago, Barry met Waters, the teenage pickleball phenom who has taken the sport by storm. โI told Anna Leigh, โYou have done something thatโs never, ever, ever going to happen again. There is no way that a girl, 15 years old, is going to become the best pickleball player in the world,โโ Barry recalled, his voice filled with awe. Now 17, Waters recently secured her 29th career Triple Crown at the Pro Pickleball Association Virginia Beach Cup, a feat that leaves Barry, at 80 years old, both impressed and invigorated by this new athletic universe.
Embracing a New Athletic Universe
Rick Barry, a member of the NBAโs 75th Anniversary Team, has fully embraced pickleball. He encourages former NBA players like Chris Mullin and Hakeem Olajuwon to take up the sport, emphasizing its competitive nature. โIโm out there for one reason and one reason only: Iโm out there to win, OK?โ Barry stated, showcasing his trademark competitive spirit. โI can do the social thing afterward if you want to sit and socialize. But on the court, I really want to win.โ
Barryโs transition to pickleball has been nothing short of remarkable. His hand-eye coordination, combined with his rangy 6-foot-7 frame and fierce competitive streak, has allowed him to excel quickly. He ranks among the nationโs top age-group players and recently earned the Triple Crown at the U.S. Open in Naples, Florida, winning titles in menโs 80-plus singles, doubles, and mixed doubles.
The Competitive Edge
As Barry prepares to compete in the Huntsman Senior World Games in St. George, Utah, he reflects on the physicality of the sport. โI love it,โ he said. โItโs a great workout without killing yourself. Tennis, itโs too hard on your body โ shoulders, elbows, and knees. Youโre covering so much more court.โ His unique approach to the game, particularly his serve, has become a significant asset. โIn singles, youโre at such a disadvantage if you have a weak serve,โ he explained. โWhereas if you have a really good serve and a difficult serve to handle, youโre going to be in a position where you can take control of the game.โ
Barryโs competitive nature shines through in his matches. Ted Meyer, who partnered with Barry in doubles, recalled a moment when Barry executed a remarkable play that showcased his agility and instinct. โSomething a 30-year-old would do,โ Meyer said, highlighting Barryโs ability to perform at an elite level even in his late 70s.
A Journey Through Sports
Basketball was Barryโs first love. Over a 15-year professional career, he averaged 24.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.9 assists, ranking fourth all-time in NBA free-throw percentage. After retiring from basketball in 1980, he turned to golf, achieving a 1-handicap but ultimately finding the sport frustrating. โI asked Jack Nicklaus, โJack, Iโm telling everybody I donโt think you can master golf. Am I right or wrong?โโ Barry recalled. Nicklaus confirmed Barryโs suspicions, leading him to seek a new athletic pursuit.
That pursuit became long drive golf, where Barry captured four world championships between 2007 and 2013. However, when the older age-group categories were eliminated, he found himself searching for another outlet. It was his wife, Lynn, who suggested pickleball in 2019. โI said, โWhat the hell is pickleball?โโ Barry laughed, but after trying it, he quickly became enamored with the sport.
The Pickleball Phenomenon
Pickleball, described as a blend of tennis, badminton, and ping pong, has exploded in popularity. Barry spends his winters at Lakewood Ranch near Sarasota, Florida, where he frequently travels to The Villages, a pickleball haven with around 300 courts. โI would get up at 6 in the morning, drive there, and play pickleball all day,โ he said, relishing the opportunity to hone his skills against other talented players.
Barryโs enthusiasm for pickleball is infectious. Heโs not just a player; heโs an evangelist for the sport. The Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) reported a staggering 223.5 percent increase in U.S. pickleball players, with over 13.6 million people picking up a paddle in 2023. Barry has even managed to persuade other NBA Hall of Famers to join in, including Chris Mullin, whose wife has become a pickleball fanatic.
A Community of Athletes
Barryโs connections extend beyond basketball. He played in the PickleBowl celebrity pro-am hosted by former Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel, who is now a passionate advocate for the sport. Barry also enjoys seeing his tennis friends, like Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf, getting involved in pickleball. Agassi has embraced the sport, while McEnroe remains skeptical, leading to some playful banter between the two.
โI got on Johnโs ass. I said, โJohn, this is not going anywhere,โโ Barry recounted, showcasing his commitment to promoting pickleball as a legitimate sport.
The Ageless Competitor
Rick Barryโs journey from basketball legend to pickleball enthusiast is a testament to his relentless spirit and love for competition. He continues to inspire others, encouraging them to embrace this rapidly growing sport. With his unwavering desire to win and his infectious enthusiasm, Barry proves that age is just a number, and the competitive fire can burn brightly at any stage of life.