Charles Wade Barkley (born February 20, 1963) is an American former professional basketball player and television analyst from Leeds, Alabama. After starring at Auburn University he played 16 NBA seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets, scoring 23,757 points and grabbing 12,546 rebounds, and was the league’s Most Valuable Player in 1993.[1][2] He won Olympic gold medals with the 1992 and 1996 U.S. teams.
| Born | February 20, 1963, Leeds, Alabama |
|---|---|
| College | Auburn University (1981-1984) |
| NBA career | 1984-2000 (76ers, Suns, Rockets) |
| Career averages | 22.1 points, 11.7 rebounds |
| Honors | 1993 NBA MVP; 11-time All-Star; Hall of Fame 2006 |
| Olympics | Gold medals, 1992 and 1996 |
Early life in Leeds
Barkley grew up in Leeds, about 17 miles east of Birmingham. As a junior at Leeds High School he stood about 5 feet 10 inches and did not make the varsity team, but he grew to 6 feet 4 inches over the summer and averaged 19.1 points and 17.9 rebounds as a senior.[1]
Auburn
At Auburn from 1981 to 1984 Barkley led the Southeastern Conference in rebounding each season and averaged 14.1 points and 9.6 rebounds. In 1984 he was SEC Player of the Year and helped lead Auburn to its first NCAA tournament appearance.[1][2] Auburn retired his number 34 in 2001.[1]
NBA career
The Philadelphia 76ers selected Barkley fifth overall in the 1984 NBA draft. He led the league in rebounding in 1986-87 and made his first All-NBA First Team in 1987-88. He was traded to Phoenix in July 1992, and in 1992-93 he averaged 25.6 points and 12.2 rebounds, won the MVP award and took the Suns to the NBA Finals, where they lost to Chicago in six games.[1] He joined the Houston Rockets in 1996 and retired in 2000 after rupturing a quadriceps tendon.[1] He finished as one of four players with at least 20,000 points, 10,000 rebounds and 4,000 assists.[1]
Olympics and honors
Barkley was a member of the 1992 “Dream Team” and the 1996 U.S. Olympic team, both of which won gold. He was named to the NBA 50th and 75th Anniversary teams, was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006 as an individual and in 2010 with the Dream Team, and had his number 34 retired by Auburn, the 76ers and the Suns.[1][2] He entered the Alabama Academy of Honor in 2024.[2]
Broadcasting and business
Since 2000 Barkley has been a studio analyst for TNT’s Inside the NBA, winning Sports Emmy Awards, and has also worked NCAA tournament coverage and written several books, including I May Be Wrong But I Doubt It (2002).[1] He is the public face of Redmont Distilling Company, an Alabama distillery in which he has invested since 2018.[2]
FAQs
Where is Charles Barkley from? Leeds, Alabama.
When did Charles Barkley win MVP? In 1993, with the Phoenix Suns.
When was Barkley inducted into the Hall of Fame? In 2006 as a player, and again in 2010 as a member of the 1992 Dream Team.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Charles Barkley
- Alabama Academy of Honor: Charles W. Barkley
- Encyclopedia of Alabama: Charles Barkley
More in Sport & Exercise Studies
Key facts
- Born February 20, 1963, in Leeds, Alabama
- 1993 NBA MVP
- Hall of Fame 2006
- Two Olympic golds
Quick checkWhich Alabama university did Charles Barkley attend?Show answer
Auburn University.
Sources
- Wikipedia. Charles Barkley. 2025 (accessed 2026-11-10)
- Alabama Academy of Honor. Charles W. Barkley. n.d. (accessed 2026-11-10)
- Encyclopedia of Alabama. Charles Barkley. n.d. (accessed 2026-11-10)
Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 10, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue