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The Capital Region is mourning the loss of Barry Kramer, a former NBA player and respected state Supreme Court judge, who passed away on Saturday (January 4) at the age of 82. Kramer, a Schenectady native, made history in 1964 as the first person from the area to be selected in the first round of the NBA Draft. He was chosen sixth overall by the San Francisco Warriors and also played for the New York Knicks and the New Jersey Nets in the American Basketball Association (ABA).
Kramer was a standout athlete from an early age, starring at Linton High School and New York University (NYU). At NYU, he achieved a career-best 29.3 points per game during his junior year and was named a consensus first-team All-American. He also received the Haggerty Award, given to the top college player in the New York City metropolitan area.
After his basketball career, Kramer pursued law, graduating from Albany Law School in 1968. He served as a Surrogate Court judge in Schenectady, appointed by Governor Mario Cuomo in 1993, and was elected to the New York State Supreme Court in 2009. According to the Daily Gazette, he was remembered as a legend in Schenectady, both on the basketball court and in the courtroom.
Kramer's influence extended beyond his professional achievements. He was a mentor to many, including NBA legend Pat Riley, who described Kramer as "the greatest player in the history of Schenectady." WAMC reported that Republican State Senator Jim Tedisco praised Kramer as an outstanding player, exemplary scholar, and dedicated public servant.
Memorial arrangements for Barry Kramer have not yet been announced.