Last Updated on May 28, 2025 by Mat Diekhake
Dick Barnett played college basketball at Tennessee A&I State University (now Tennessee State University) from 1955 to 1959. Unfortunately, detailed per-game statistics by season (such as PPG, RPG, APG, etc.) are not comprehensively available for that era due to limited record-keeping in college basketball during the 1950s—especially for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
However, here’s what is known:
Career Summary at Tennessee A&I:
| Years | School | GP | PPG | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1955–1959 | Tennessee A&I State | N/A | ~23+ | 3× NAIA Champion, 2× All-American |
- Barnett was a dominant scorer, averaging over 23 points per game across his college career (some sources estimate ~23.7 PPG).
- Led Tennessee A&I to three consecutive NAIA national championships (1957–1959).
- Known for his distinctive “fall-back baby” jump shot.
If you’re interested in a formatted table, here’s the best representation with available info:
| Season | School | GP | PPG | RPG | APG | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1955–56 | Tennessee A&I State | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | Freshman year |
| 1956–57 | Tennessee A&I State | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | NAIA Champion |
| 1957–58 | Tennessee A&I State | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | NAIA Champion, Emerging as top scorer |
| 1958–59 | Tennessee A&I State | N/A | ~24+ | N/A | N/A | NAIA Champion, All-American |