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Jordan Bell and 9 other greatest NBA careers in Oregon basketball history

By Sam Fariss

Apr 1, 2017; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oregon Ducks forward Jordan Bell (1) passes the ball against North Carolina.
Apr 1, 2017; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oregon Ducks forward Jordan Bell (1) passes the ball against North Carolina. / Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
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4. Jim Barnett

The man behind Rip City. Jim Barnett is in the Oregon Hall of Fame and the Pac-12 Basketball Hall of Honor. He was also pretty decent in the NBA.

The Celtics drafted Barnett in 1966 and he played in Boston for just one season. He later went on to play for the Rockets, Blazers, Warriors, Jazz, Knicks, and 76ers.

March 10, 1973; Atlanta, GA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Golden State Warriors guard Jim Barnett (25) in action.
March 10, 1973; Atlanta, GA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Golden State Warriors guard Jim Barnett (25) in action. / Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports

Barnett played in 762 games and got to lineup with some of the greatest players of all time – Bill Russell, Rick Barry, Julius Erving, and more. He averaged 11.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game during his 11-year career.

The story behind Rip City? While playing against the Lakers, Barnett pulled up for a shot from well beyond the arc, and when it went in, Portland’s play-by-play announcer exclaimed, “Rip City! All right!”

While in the NBA, Barnett was gifted the nickname “Crazy Horse” because he was known to be a little kooky and emotional for a pro baller.

Barnett currently works for NBC Sports Bay Area and was previously the television analyst for the Warriors.

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