Charles Barkley Biography

Unlike other top SEC products, Charles Barkley hardly started out as a phenomenon. The future “Round Mound of Rebound” stood 5’10” in his junior year of high school and failed to make the varsity squad. However, he grew to 6’4” that summer and, using his trademark box-out move, put up 20 points and 17 rebounds to lead his team to the state semifinals. There, despite zero previous college recruitment, his exceptional rebounding at the tournament caught the eye of Auburn coach Sonny Smith who invited him to become a Tiger the following year. The rest is history as Barkley eventually became probably the greatest player in the history of Auburn basketball.

Though Barkley had hardly gone down the path of the heralded high school recruit, his career at Auburn was exceptional and he is, in the eyes of many, the greatest collegiate basketball player in SEC history. Barkley struggled with his weight (indeed this proved an issue throughout his career) but rebounded at an astoundingly high rate and also used dunks and polished post moves to increase his offensive efficiency. As such he was the 1984 SEC Player of the Year, a three time All-SEC player, and an All-American selection. Some say "Sir Charles" was the best all time college basketball player. Following his 1984 season, Barkley was drafted fifth overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in what is often considered the best draft in NBA history; two spots behind Michael Jordan.

From 1984-1992, Barkley was the young and charismatic star of the 76ers. He was an All-Rookie performer in 1984, then upped his performance the next year to earn both an All-Star berth and an All NBA Second Team selection. Barkley would remain a perennial All Star and top three power forward in the league throughout the 1980s but, despite leading Philadelphia to the postseason regularly, he failed to deliver a championship. This was partially a result of Barkley’s own defensive limitations but the larger issue was the lack of talent surrounding him so Barkley requested a trade in 1992. Following this request, he was dealt to Phoenix and promptly put up his best season to date, averaging 25 points and 12 rebounds while winning the 1993 NBA MVP and leading the Suns to the NBA Finals against Michael Jordan and the Bulls. However, despite his hunger for a ring, Barkley was unable to deliver against the Bulls and the Suns were eliminated in six games.

Following his finals defeat in 1993, Barkley began to decline slowly as a player. In 1996, realizing that he was in decline, Barkley arranged a trade to the Rockets-then winners of two straight titles-in his final effort to win another ring. However, he proved unable to do so and retired in 1999 as one of-if not the-best players in NBA history without a championship ring. Ultimately however, despite this obvious hole in his resume, Barkley remains one of the all time NBA greats and quite possibly the best player in SEC basketball history.

This Charles Barkley biography was written by SEC Sports Fan Senior Staff Writer Paul Grossinger.

Charles Barkley has recently been named to All Time SEC Basketball Team. Check out our current information about Auburn Tigers Basketball and Auburn Basketball History.

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