Charles Barkley

Charles Barkley
Name	Charles Barkley
Caption	Barkley in 2018
Position	Power forward
Weight lb	252
Birth date	20 February 1963
Birth place	Leeds, Alabama
High school	Leeds High School
College	Auburn (1981–1984)
Draft year	1984
Draft team	Philadelphia 76ers
Career start	1984
Career end	2000
Career number	34, 32, 4
Career position	Power forward
Years1	1984–1992
Team1	Philadelphia 76ers
Years2	1992–1996
Team2	Phoenix Suns
Years3	1996–2000
Team3	Houston Rockets
Highlights	* NBA Most Valuable Player (1993) * 11× NBA All-Star (1987–1997) * NBA All-Star Game MVP (1991) * 5× All-NBA First Team (1988–1991, 1993) * 5× All-NBA Second Team (1986, 1987, 1992, 1994, 1995) * NBA All-Rookie First Team (1985) * NBA rebounding leader (1987) * NBA 50th Anniversary Team * NBA 75th Anniversary Team * No. 34 retired by the Philadelphia 76ers * Consensus first-team All-American (1984) * SEC Player of the Year (1984) * No. 34 retired by the Auburn Tigers

Charles Barkley is an American former professional basketball player and current television analyst. Renowned for his powerful, undersized play at the power forward position, he was an 11-time NBA All-Star and the league MVP in 1993. Following his Hall of Fame playing career, he became a prominent and outspoken commentator for TNT's NBA coverage.

Early life and college career

Born in Leeds, Alabama, Barkley attended Leeds High School before enrolling at Auburn University. Despite concerns about his weight, he quickly became a dominant force for the Auburn Tigers under coach Sonny Smith. In his junior season, he was named the SEC Player of the Year and a Consensus first-team All-American after averaging 15.1 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. His collegiate career, which saw him lead the Southeastern Conference in rebounding for three consecutive years, cemented his status as a top prospect for the 1984 NBA draft.

NBA career

Selected fifth overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the famed 1984 NBA draft, Barkley joined a roster featuring stars like Julius Erving and Moses Malone. He quickly emerged as a star, making the NBA All-Rookie First Team and helping the 76ers reach the 1985 NBA Finals. Known as the "Round Mound of Rebound," he led the NBA in rebounds during the 1986-87 season despite being significantly shorter than most interior players. After being traded to the Phoenix Suns in 1992, he won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award in 1993 and led the Suns to the 1993 NBA Finals, where they lost to the Chicago Bulls. He finished his career with the Houston Rockets, playing alongside Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler before retiring in 2000. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.

National team career

Barkley was a key member of two legendary USA Basketball teams. He won his first Olympic gold medal as part of the "Dream Team" at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, a squad considered the greatest ever assembled. He returned to win a second gold medal with the "Dream Team III" at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. In Olympic play, he was known for his aggressive scoring and rebounding, often serving as a vocal leader for the star-studded rosters.

Post-playing career

Since retiring, Barkley has enjoyed a highly successful career as a television analyst. He is a central member of the Inside the NBA studio team on TNT, alongside Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O'Neal. His candid, humorous, and often controversial commentary has earned him multiple Sports Emmy Awards. He has also been involved in politics, briefly considering a run for Governor of Alabama in 2010, and remains an active philanthropist and public speaker.

Personal life

Barkley has been married to Maureen Blumhardt since 1989, and they have one daughter. He has been open about his gambling habits, both in Las Vegas and at casinos in Connecticut and Mississippi. His outspoken nature has occasionally led to legal issues, including an incident in Orlando and a famous on-air altercation with fellow analyst Bill Walton. He has also authored several books and made cameo appearances in films like Space Jam.

Legacy and honors

Barkley is universally regarded as one of the greatest power forwards in NBA history, named to both the NBA 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams. His unique combination of strength, athleticism, and skill revolutionized the power forward position. His number 34 jersey has been retired by both the Philadelphia 76ers and Auburn University. Beyond his on-court achievements, his enduring popularity as a broadcaster has made him a defining cultural figure in American sports media.

Category:American basketball players Category:Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductees Category:Olympic gold medalists for the United States in basketball