Barry Kramer, a former NBA player and prominent New York judge, passed away at the age of 82. Selected sixth overall by the San Francisco Warriors in the 1964 NBA draft, Kramer’s basketball journey began with a stellar high school career at Linton High School in Schenectady, New York, where he played alongside future NBA legend Pat Riley. His collegiate career at NYU saw him shine, culminating in a remarkable 29.3 points per game average during his junior season in 1963. This performance earned him All-American honors and the prestigious Haggerty Award, recognizing him as the top college player in the New York City metropolitan area.
Despite his college success, Kramer’s NBA career was relatively short, spanning a single season with the Warriors and Knicks, where he averaged under four points per game. He continued playing basketball in the semi-professional ranks, featuring with the Schaefer Brewers and the ABA’s New Jersey Nets during the 1969-70 season.
Beyond basketball, Kramer pursued a successful legal career. He graduated from Albany Law School in 1968 and dedicated decades to public service as a New York judge. Governor Mario Cuomo appointed him to the Surrogate Court in his hometown of Schenectady in 1993, and in 2009, he was elected as a New York State Supreme Court Justice in the Fourth Judicial District. Kramer’s life exemplifies a remarkable transition from the court to the courtroom, leaving behind a lasting legacy in both arenas.