Rick Barry: From NBA Legend to Pickleball Phenom
Some people name-drop. With Rick Barry, it’s more like a name-deluge. The former NBA and ABA star has a wealth of stories and connections that span the sports world, and it takes only a few questions for him to recount conversations with fellow basketball Hall of Famers, life-changing advice from golf icons, and even a recent encounter with a Heisman Trophy winner. Yet, there’s a special reverence in his voice when he speaks about a rising star in a different sport: Anna Leigh Waters.
Two years ago, Barry met Waters, the teenage pickleball phenom who has taken the sport by storm. “I told Anna Leigh, ‘You have done something that’s never, ever, ever going to happen again. There is no way that a kid, 15 years old, is going to become the best pickleball player in the world,’” Barry explained. Now 17, Waters recently won her 29th career Triple Crown at the Pro Pickleball Association Virginia Beach Cup, a feat that continues to astound Barry as he, at 80 years old, embraces this new athletic universe.
A New Athletic Universe
Rick Barry, a member of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team, has fully immersed himself in the world of pickleball. Dismissing the sport would be a mistake; for Barry and a rapidly growing fan base in the U.S., pickleball is serious business. “I’m out there for one reason and one reason only: I’m out there to win, OK?” he asserts. “I can do the social thing afterward if you want to sit and socialize. But on the court, I really want to win.”
Barry’s competitive spirit has translated seamlessly into pickleball, where he has quickly established himself as a formidable player. His hand-eye coordination, 6-foot-7 frame, and relentless drive have made him a force to be reckoned with on the court. “The older players recognize me and often want to take a photo,” he chuckles, adding, “The younger people don’t know who the hell I am.”
Dominating the Court
Barry ranks among the nation’s top age-group players and recently earned the Triple Crown at the U.S. Open in Naples, Florida. He won titles in the men’s 80-plus singles, men’s 80-plus doubles, and mixed doubles categories. This week, he’s set to compete in multiple events at the Huntsman Senior World Games in St. George, Utah, where he aims to add to his impressive medal collection.
“I love it,” he says of pickleball. “It’s a great workout without killing yourself. Tennis, it’s too hard on your body — shoulders, elbows, and knees. You’re covering so much more court.” Barry’s unique approach to the game is evident in his strategy. “In singles, you’re at such a disadvantage if you have a weak serve,” he explains. “Whereas if you have a really good serve and a difficult serve to handle, you’re going to be in a position where you can take and move them.”
The Competitive Edge
Barry’s competitive nature shines through in his gameplay. Ted Meyer, who partnered with Barry at last year’s Huntsman Senior World Games, recalls a moment when Barry made a remarkable play, showcasing agility and skill that belied his age. “Something a 30-year-old would do,” Meyer noted. “And he was doing it in a 79-year-old body. He just didn’t want to lose the point.”
Before his foray into pickleball, Barry’s first love was basketball. 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 in 1980, he turned to golf, achieving a 1-handicap but eventually finding it frustrating. “I asked Jack Nicklaus, ‘Jack, I’m telling everybody I don’t think you can master golf. Am I right or wrong?’” Barry recalled. Nicklaus confirmed Barry’s suspicions, prompting him to seek a new challenge.
Discovering Pickleball
In 2019, Barry’s wife, Lynn, suggested he try pickleball. Initially skeptical, he soon discovered the sport’s appeal. Played with a perforated plastic ball, pickleball combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping pong, making it accessible and enjoyable for players of all ages. Barry quickly honed his skills, spending winters at Lakewood Ranch near Sarasota, Florida, where he could play pickleball daily at The Villages, a retirement community known for its extensive pickleball facilities.
Barry’s rapid improvement caught the attention of other players, including Dick Scott, a nationally renowned senior player who mentored him. Their initial matches were a mix of triumph and learning, with Barry quickly adapting to the competitive landscape of pickleball.
Spreading the Word
Now, Barry is not just a player; he’s an ambassador for the sport. He actively encourages others, including former NBA stars like Chris Mullin and Hakeem Olajuwon, to take up pickleball. “I got Chris Mullin to finally start playing, and his wife is fanatical about it,” Barry shared. He believes Olajuwon, with his height and agility, would excel in pickleball as well.
Barry’s enthusiasm for pickleball is infectious. He participated in the PickleBowl celebrity pro-am hosted by former Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel, who has also embraced the sport. Barry has witnessed the growth of pickleball firsthand, with the Sports & Fitness Industry Association reporting a staggering 223.5 percent increase in U.S. pickleball players over the past few years.
A Bright Future
As pickleball continues to gain traction, Barry remains a passionate advocate for its future. He’s excited to see tennis legends like Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf getting involved, and he’s determined to convince skeptics like John McEnroe of the sport’s legitimacy. “I got on John’s ass. I said, ‘John, this is not going anywhere,’” Barry recounted.
At 80 years old, Rick Barry shows no signs of slowing down. His relentless drive to compete and his love for the game make him a standout figure in the pickleball community. With a growing number of players and an expanding fan base, Barry’s journey in this new sport is just beginning, and he’s eager to see where it leads.