Cliff Barker

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameClifford Eugene "Cliff"•Barker
Used nameCliff•Barker
Born15 January 1921 in Yorktown, Indiana (USA)
Died17 March 1998 in Satsuma, Florida (USA)
Measurements188 cm / 84 kg
AffiliationsKentucky Wildcats, Lexington (USA)
NOC United States
Medals OG
Gold 1
Silver 0
Bronze 0
Total 1

Biography

During World War II, Cliff Barker dropped out of college to serve in the Air Force. His B-17 bomber was shot down over Germany, and he spent 16 months as a prisoner of war. In 1948, he was a member of the Kentucky “Fabulous Five”, that won the championship with a 36-3 record. All five were on the 1948 Olympic basketball team, forming a major part of the gold medal winning squad. They won the NCAA title again the following year, with a 32-2 record. In 1949 the NBA was formed from a merger of the National Basketball League and the Basketball Association of America. Though most of the teams in the new league were already established, a new team was formed called the Indianapolis Olympians, composed of (and partly owned by) the five Kentucky Olympians including Cliff Barker, who served a dual role as player-coach. That first year, 1949-50, Barker helped the Indianapolis team to a division championship though they did not win the league title. Barker played for two more years, and coached for one more, before retiring. Following his basketball career, Barker was a teacher and coach at various high schools.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1948 Summer Olympics Basketball (Basketball) USA Cliff Barker
Basketball, Men (Olympic) United States 1 Gold