Marvin Barnes
Encyclopedia
Marvin Jerome Barnes is a former professional American
basketball
player.
As a 6'8" forward for Providence College
, Barnes (nicknamed "Bad News") led the nation in rebounding in 1973-74. On December 15, 1973, Barnes scored 52 points against Austin Peay
, breaking the single-game school record. He was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers
with the second overall pick in the first round of the 1974 NBA Draft
and by the Spirits of St. Louis
in the 1974 ABA Draft. Barnes opted for the ABA and played for the Spirits in the American Basketball Association
from 1974 to 1976 before playing in the National Basketball Association
from 1976 to 1980. He had his greatest success in the ABA, where he starred for the Spirits of St. Louis
and was named Rookie of the Year for the 1974–75 season. He also shares the ABA record for most two-point field goal
s in a game, with 27. In 2005, the ABA 2000
, the second incarnation of the ABA, named one of their divisions after him.
In 1973, he was the first player to score 10 times on 10 field goal attempts in the NCAA playoffs, and remains tied for second behind Kenny Walker
, who went 11-for-11 in 1986.
His nickname, "Bad News", came from his frequent off-court problems. He has been arrested for burglary, drug possession, and trespassing. Because of his drug use, his NBA career was cut short and he wound up homeless in San Diego, California
in the early 80s. After multiple rehab programs, he started reaching out to youth in South Providence, where he grew up, urging them not to make the same mistakes he had.
In March 2008, Providence College
retired his jersey, honoring him along with Ernie DiGregorio
and Jimmy Walker
. He still holds the school single-game scoring record of 52 points. (Tied with Marshon Brooks
)
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player.
As a 6'8" forward for Providence College
Providence College
Providence College is a private, coeducational, Catholic university located about two miles west of downtown Providence, Rhode Island, United States, the state's capital city. With a 2010–2011 enrollment of 3,850 undergraduate students and 735 graduate students, the College specializes in academic...
, Barnes (nicknamed "Bad News") led the nation in rebounding in 1973-74. On December 15, 1973, Barnes scored 52 points against Austin Peay
Austin Peay Governors men's basketball
The Austin Peay Governors men's basketball team is the basketball team that represent Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee. The school's team currently competes in the Ohio Valley Conference. The team's most recent appearance in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament was...
, breaking the single-game school record. He was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
with the second overall pick in the first round of the 1974 NBA Draft
1974 NBA Draft
The 1974 NBA Draft was the 28th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on May 28, 1974 before the 1974–75 season. In this draft, 18 NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players and other eligible players, including international players...
and by the Spirits of St. Louis
Spirits of St. Louis
The Spirits of St. Louis were one of two teams still in existence at the end of the American Basketball Association that did not survive the ABA-NBA merger. They were a member of the ABA in its last two seasons, 1974–75 and 1975–76, while playing their home games at the St...
in the 1974 ABA Draft. Barnes opted for the ABA and played for the Spirits in the American Basketball Association
American Basketball Association
The American Basketball Association was a professional basketball league founded in 1967. The ABA ceased to exist with the ABA–NBA merger in 1976.-League history:...
from 1974 to 1976 before playing in the National Basketball Association
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
from 1976 to 1980. He had his greatest success in the ABA, where he starred for the Spirits of St. Louis
Spirits of St. Louis
The Spirits of St. Louis were one of two teams still in existence at the end of the American Basketball Association that did not survive the ABA-NBA merger. They were a member of the ABA in its last two seasons, 1974–75 and 1975–76, while playing their home games at the St...
and was named Rookie of the Year for the 1974–75 season. He also shares the ABA record for most two-point field goal
Field goal (basketball)
In basketball, the term field goal refers to a basket scored on any shot or tap other than a free throw, worth two or three points depending on the distance of the attempt from the basket. "Field Goal" is the official terminology used by the National Basketball Association in their rule book,...
s in a game, with 27. In 2005, the ABA 2000
American Basketball Association (21st century)
The American Basketball Association, often abbreviated as ABA, is a semi-professional men's basketball league that was founded in 1999. The current ABA has no affiliation with the original American Basketball Association that merged with the National Basketball Association in 1976...
, the second incarnation of the ABA, named one of their divisions after him.
In 1973, he was the first player to score 10 times on 10 field goal attempts in the NCAA playoffs, and remains tied for second behind Kenny Walker
Kenny Walker
Kenneth "Kenny" "Sky" Walker is a former professional basketball player, primarily for the New York Knicks of the NBA. Walker played college basketball at the University of Kentucky. He is currently a radio host for WVLK in Lexington, Kentucky.-College career:After being named Mr...
, who went 11-for-11 in 1986.
His nickname, "Bad News", came from his frequent off-court problems. He has been arrested for burglary, drug possession, and trespassing. Because of his drug use, his NBA career was cut short and he wound up homeless in San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
in the early 80s. After multiple rehab programs, he started reaching out to youth in South Providence, where he grew up, urging them not to make the same mistakes he had.
In March 2008, Providence College
Providence College
Providence College is a private, coeducational, Catholic university located about two miles west of downtown Providence, Rhode Island, United States, the state's capital city. With a 2010–2011 enrollment of 3,850 undergraduate students and 735 graduate students, the College specializes in academic...
retired his jersey, honoring him along with Ernie DiGregorio
Ernie DiGregorio
Ernest DiGregorio is a retired American National Basketball Association player.DiGregorio played on the 1968 Rhode Island champions at North Providence High School....
and Jimmy Walker
Jimmy Walker (basketball)
James "Jimmy" Walker was an American professional basketball player. A 6'3" guard, he played nine seasons in the NBA as a member of the Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, and Kansas City Kings. Walker was a two-time All-Star who scored 11,655 points in his career...
. He still holds the school single-game scoring record of 52 points. (Tied with Marshon Brooks
Marshon Brooks
Marshon Brooks is an American professional basketball shooting guard with the New Jersey Nets of the National Basketball Association. He was drafted by the Boston Celtics with the 25th pick in the 2011 NBA Draft.-Early years:...
)
See also
- List of NCAA Division I men's basketball players with 30 or more rebounds in a game
- List of NCAA Division I men's basketball season rebounding leaders
- List of NCAA Division I men's basketball career rebounding leaders