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Charles Barkley, Hall of fame basketball player
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Love him or hate him, every basketball fan has an opinion on Charles Barkley.
The “Round Mound of Rebound” came to the NBA with a reputation as a rebounding specialist, but players like Moses Malone and Julius Erving sculpted him into “Sir Charles,” one of the game’s most gifted players.
After three years at Auburn, Barkley was selected fifth overall in the 1984 draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. Listed at 6 feet 6 inches tall, it was widely known that Barkley was closer to 6-4. Yet he dominated at power forward, a position typically played by taller players. Barkley combined a small forward’s skills with strength, explosive jumping ability and a knack for scoring to make him one of the game’s best power forwards, earning 11 All-Star game appearances.
His 16-year career took him from Philadelphia to the Phoenix Suns and finally the Houston Rockets. A championship ring eluded Barkley, his closest season coming in 1993 when the Suns were defeated in six games in the finals by the Chicago Bulls. But Barkley won the 1993 MVP award and also was the 1992 U.S. Olympic Team’s leading scorer, a team that won gold and boasted a roster with such players as Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.
Always outspoken, Barkley was known for speaking his mind and intimidating his opponents. This tough guy attitude got him in trouble off the court on occasion, but as Barkley said during his hall of fame induction speech in September, “I was acquitted every time.”
Now a commentator on TNT’s coverage of the NBA, Barkley gets to share his sharp wit with basketball fans on multiple nights a week. Also an avid golfer, Barkley’s unique golf swing is a lot like his basketball game — out-of-position, yet surprisingly effective.
— Seth Jones, senior associate editor
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