Last Updated on April 16, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here’s the detailed profile of John Barnhill:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: John Anthony Barnhill
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born March 20, 1938 – Died November 11, 2013 (Lived to 75 years old)
  • Hometown: Evansville, Indiana, USA
  • Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
  • Weight: 180 lbs (82 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 ft 2 in
  • Shoe Size: Size 11 (US)
  • Number: #5, #10, #15
  • Position: Point Guard / Shooting Guard
  • High School: Lincoln High School, Evansville, Indiana
  • College: Tennessee State University
  • NBA Draft: Selected in the 7th round of the 1959 NBA Draft by the Syracuse Nationals
  • Teams Played For:
    • NBA:
      • St. Louis Hawks (1962–1963)
      • Detroit Pistons (1963–1965)
      • Baltimore Bullets (1965–1967)
      • San Diego Rockets (1967–1968)
      • Boston Celtics (1968)
    • ABA:
      • Indiana Pacers (1969–1970)
  • Championship Rings: No NBA Championships
  • Kids: Information on children is not widely available.
  • Siblings: He had a brother, Jim Barnhill, who also played professional basketball.

Player Archetype / Play Style

John Barnhill’s player archetype was that of a steady two-way guard, a backcourt organizer who could handle point duties, keep the offense moving, and contribute without needing to dominate possessions. Offensively, he projected more as a balanced guard than a pure gunner, using sound decision-making, passing, and controlled scoring to fit within team structure rather than overwhelm games with volume. Defensively, his role was to work the perimeter, stay disciplined against opposing guards, and use his experience and positioning to give lineups stability on that end. Physically, Barnhill had a solid 6-foot-1 guard build, enough size for either backcourt spot, and the kind of functional quickness that suited the faster style associated with his Tennessee State teams. Altogether, his play style came across as composed, versatile, and team-first, blending playmaking, steady guard defense, and dependable all-around backcourt play. (Basketball Reference)

Sources:

Basketball-Reference — John Barnhill Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more
Tennessee State University Athletics — Moments in TSU History: Tigers Make it Three-In-a-Row
Tennessee State University Athletics — Legacy: TSU in the Pros
Basketball-Reference — Players Who Played For Tennessee State