May 4, 1964 - The New York Knicks, long in need of big, strong players, selected Jim Barnes of Texas Western in the first round of the NBA draft today. Barnes, 6-8 and 240 pounds, was rated one of the nation’s strongest players last season. The Knicks, by virtue of the worst record in the NBA last season, were given the first open pick in the league, but the Cincinnati Royals and Los Angeles Lakers started proceedings at the Plaza Hotel by exercising their territorial rights. The Royals named George Wilson, a forward with the University of Cincinnati, and the Lakers, as expected, took Walt Hazzard of UCLA.
The Knicks opened the second round by drafting Willis Reed (pictured), the 6-10 star of Grambling. For the Tigers, Reed scored 2,280 career points, averaging 26.6 points per game and 21.3 rebounds per game during his senior year. He led the Tigers to one NAIA title and three Southwestern Athletic Conference championships.
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