Education
Providence University.
Providence University.
As a 6"8" forward, Barnes played at Providence College. In 1973, he was the first player to score 10 times on 10 field goal attempts an the National Collegiate Athletic Association tournament game, and remains tied for second behind Kenny Walker, who went 11-for-11 in 1986. He led the nation in rebounding in 1973-1974.
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 National Basketball Association Draft and by the Spirits of Saint Louis in the 1974 American Bar Association Draft. Barnes opted for the American Bar Association 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 also shares the American Bar Association record for most two-point field goals in a game, with 27. In 2005, the American Bar Association 2000, the second incarnation of the American Bar Association, named one of their divisions after him.
His nickname, "Bad News," came from his frequent off-court problems, which began when he was a senior at Central High School.
He was part of a gang that attempted to rob a business He was quickly identified as he was wearing his state championship jacket with his name embroidered on lieutenant His case was handled by the juvenile justice system.
In 1972, while playing center for Providence College, he attacked a teammate with a tire iron.
He later pled guilty to assault, paid the victim $10,000 and was placed on probation. He violated probation in October 1976 when an unloaded gun was found in his bag at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport, and served 152 days in Rhode Island state prison.
Upon release he returned to the Detroit Pistons. He was arrested for burglary, drug possession, and trespassing.
Because of his drug use, his National Basketball Association career was cut short and he wound up homeless in San Diego, California in the early 1980s.
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 co-holds (since tied by MarShon Brooks) the school single-game scoring record of 52 points.
On September 8, 2014, Barnes died at the age of 62.