Charles Barkley

Basketball Player

Outspoken and outrageous, Charles Barkley was one of the National Basketball Association's most colorful characters during his 16-year career. A 6' 6" forward, Barkley entered the NBA in 1984, signing with the Philadelphia 76ers. From 1992 to 1996 he played with the Phoenix Suns, and then was a member of the Houston Rockets until his mid-season retirement in December of 1999. Nicknamed "Sir Charles," he was throughout his career a frequent interview subject whose antics on and off the court keep him in the news. He was also an outstanding player: he was named an NBA All-Star 11 times, won 2 Olympic Gold Medals (1992 and 1996), and collected more than 20,000 points and 10,000 rebounds in his career. In 2000 he signed a deal with Turner Sports and became a regular studio analyst on the TNT cable program Inside the NBA.

Extra credit: As a college player at Auburn, Barkley earned the nickname "The Round Mound of Rebound."

Other NBA stars include Shaquille O'Neal, Yao Ming, Julius Erving and Michael Jordan.