Barry is a former NBA player andis well known for his work as a NBA analyst for ESPN.

Barry is the son of Hall of Famer Rick Barry, and has three brothers: Scooter, Drew, Brent, all of whom are also basketball players. Barry has played for the Milwaukee Bucks, Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Detroit Pistons, Denver Nuggets and most recently the Houston Rockets. He was a first round draft pick in 1992, out of Georgia Tech.

Jon's most memorable time as a player came in his two seasons playing for the Detroit Pistons. In 2001-02, Barry enjoyed a tremendous season off the bench, co-leading "The Alternatorz" with 6th Man of the Year winner, Corliss Williamson. Barry, Williamson, Zeljko Rebraca, and Damon Jones made up the foursome off the bench that Rick Carlisle went to almost exclusively at the beginnings of the 2nd and 4th quarters.

Barry ended his NBA career in March 2006. Post career he has been a NBA analyst on ESPN/ABC.