Berry was born in Winnemucca, Nevada[1] and graduated from Humboldt County High School in 1960.
From 1961 to 1964, Berry played on the Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team under coach Forddy Anderson.
[2][3] After completing his master's degree at Michigan State, Berry became head coach at Cosumnes River Junior College from 1970 to 1972.
[9] Berry then organized a new team of walk-on athletes, including star football player Johnny Johnson.
[11] After San Jose State, Berry entered the NBA as a scout and assistant coach for the Sacramento Kings in 1989.
He transferred to the Houston Rockets as a scout in 1991 and then assistant coach in February 1992 under Rudy Tomjanovich.