Thomas Barker

Thomas Barker is a former professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association. He is notably the only person born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley to play in the NBA. Teams he has played with include the Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, and the New York Knicks.

Player Profile

Thomas Kevin Barker was born on March 11, 1955, in Harlingen, Texas, USA. He stands 211 cm tall and his weight was last listed at 102 kg. A right-handed shooter, he played Center.

High School and College Career

He attended Weslaco High School where he was a dominant player. In his senior year, he grew to 6-foot-11 and averaged 32 points per game.

His college career included stops at the University of Minnesota as a freshman, College of Southern Idaho as a sophomore, and the University of Hawaii for his junior and senior seasons.

Professional Career

Barker was selected as the 53rd overall pick in the fourth round of the 1976 NBA draft by the Atlanta Hawks. His professional career lasted from 1976 to 1979.

His best NBA season came in 1977-78 with the Hawks when he averaged 8.1 points per game in 59 contests. He also played for the New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, and Houston Rockets.

After his NBA career, he spent five years playing professionally in Italy and the Netherlands.

Career Highlights

• 1977-1978 - All-EBA Second Team