Tommy Barker
Hometown: Weslaco
High School: Weslaco High School
College: The University of Minnesota, The University of Southern Idaho, The University of Hawaii
Professional: Atlanta Hawks, New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets
Best Known for: Athlete – Basketball
b. March 11, 1955
Barker is the only person born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley to play in the National Basketball Association. He is also the best high school basketball player the Valley has ever seen. He was born in Harlingen and raised in Weslaco.
At 6-foot-10 as a junior for Weslaco High School in 1971, he averaged 25 points per game. As a senior in 1972, he was 6-foot-11 and averaged 32 points per game. Barker was a three-time All-State selection who paced the Panthers to great success. His team's memorable duels with Chuy Guerra's Roma Gladiators will always be recalled.
Barker played collegiately at The University of Minnesota as a freshman, The University of Southern Idaho as a sophomore and The University of Hawaii for his junior and senior seasons.
Drafted in the fourth round in 1976 by the Atlanta Hawks, Barker competed at the highest level for four seasons with four teams, and then spent five years overseas playing in Italy and the Netherlands. His best NBA season came in 1977-78 with the Hawks when he averaged 8 points per game in 59 contests. He also played for the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, and Houston Rockets.
Barker is the only person born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley who has played in the NBA.