At the age of 72, Norton Barnhill, the first foreigner to wear the jersey of Atenas de Córdoba, has passed away, leaving an indelible mark on Argentine basketball for his sporting contribution and for being a key figure in the early days of the National League. According to confirmation from the Argentine News Agency, Barnhill died on Monday, as confirmed by his inner circle, after a life linked to sport and art. His legacy remains alive in the memory of Argentine basketball and, especially, in the great history of Atenas de Córdoba. After suffering a back injury, he found a new impetus for his professional career in Argentina. During his first stint at Atenas, Barnhill set a historical precedent. There he formed a memorable duo with Donald Jones and averaged 22.4 points in 56 games, figures that cemented him as one of the most influential foreigners of those years. Away from professional competition, Barnhill threw himself fully into art. He later had a brief spell with the New Jersey Nets, although he was cut before the start of the season. His career continued in alternative US leagues, such as the CBA, the Western Basketball Association, and the AABA, where he stood out as one of the top scorers. The former 1.93-meter point guard was a fundamental piece in the history of the Córdoba club, to which he first arrived in 1980, when Atenas still competed in the Córdoba Basketball Association, becoming a household name in the growth of national basketball. Trained at Washington State University, where he played for the Cougars, Barnhill was selected in the 134th pick of the 1976 NBA Draft by the Seattle SuperSonics, a franchise with which he played four official games, recording 4 points and 3 rebounds. He later went on to Obras Sanitarias, where he won the Renato William Jones Cup, and later returned to the General Bustos neighborhood team to play in the first edition of the National Basketball League in 1985. Years earlier, he confessed that he dedicated himself to painting and dreamed of returning to Argentina to show his paintings.
