New York, New York
By David Jordan Jr
Dr. Richard “Dick” Barnett’s documentary, “The Dream Whisperer” will be premiering on Monday, Juneteenth on
NBA TV. The film tells the world the true story about Dr. Barnett’s ten year long journey to get the legendary Tennessee State University men’s basketball teams recognized for their dominance and impact upon not only college basketball, but the game of basketball period, eventually getting the team inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
The Tennessee State Tigers were the first team in college basketball history to win three straight National Championships. The Tigers did this during the time of segregation and Jim Crow and overcame many obstacles to become champions on and off the court. The Tigers were led by legendary Hall of Fame coach John McLendon as the team made history that went ignored by the masses for decades.
The documentary will premiere on NBA TV June 19th at 3:00 pm ET & 9:00pm ET.
NBA TV LINK HERE
I was 9 years old when I spotted a guy who I thought was Dick Barnett shooting baskets behind Roosevelt High School in 1955. My older brother Joseph C. Chapman, Jr., MD (Howard University College of Medicine 1963) was in the same high school graduating class at Roosevelt. The guys I was with didn’t believe me and dared me to prove it by asking him for his autograph. I of course was right when he got down on his knees on the court and signed my piece of paper “Dick Barnett”!
Edwin C. Chapman, MD (Howard University College of Medicine Class of 1973)
Roosevelt High School, Class of 1964