Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Charles Barkley

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Charles Barkley made an impact.

Charles Barkley is a retired American professional basketball player and current television analyst. Known for his rebounding and scoring prowess despite being undersized for his position, he played 16 seasons in the NBA. He earned numerous accolades, including 11-time NBA All-Star, 11-time All-NBA Team selection, and the 1993 NBA MVP award. Barkley was also named to the NBA's 50th and 75th anniversary teams, solidifying his legacy as one of basketball's greats. He is currently a popular and outspoken analyst for TNT and CBS Sports.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Controversies & Scandals

1974: 76ers Miss Playoffs

For the first time since the 1974-75 season, the 76ers failed to make the playoffs during the 1988 season.

1976: First NBA Finals appearance since 1976

In the 1992-93 season, Charles Barkley led the Phoenix Suns to their first NBA Finals appearance since 1976.

1983: 76ers won NBA Championship

In 1983, the Philadelphia 76ers, which Barkley would join in 1984, won the NBA championship.

1984: Led Tigers to NCAA Tournament

In 1984, Charles Barkley led the Auburn Tigers to their first NCAA tournament in school history.

1984: Drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers

In 1984, Charles Barkley was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers with the fifth pick in the first round of the NBA draft.

1984: Olympic Tryouts

In 1984, Charles Barkley was invited to the spring tryouts for the U.S. Olympic team but was ultimately cut from the final roster.

1985: Named to All-Rookie First Team

In 1985, Charles Barkley was named to the All-Rookie First Team in his first NBA season.

November 4, 1986: Career-High Assists

On November 4, 1986, Charles Barkley recorded 34 points, 10 rebounds, and a career-high 14 assists in a game against the Indiana Pacers.

1986: Most free throw attempts in a 7-game series

In 1986, Charles Barkley had the most free throw attempts in a 7-game series with 100, playing for the Philadelphia 76ers against the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference Semi-finals.

1986: Most turnovers in a 7-game series

In 1986, Charles Barkley had the most turnovers in a 7-game series with 37, playing for the Philadelphia 76ers against the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference Semi-finals.

1986: Led the league in rebounding average

In 1986, Charles Barkley led the league in rebounding average and earned his first rebounding title.

March 4, 1987: Most offensive rebounds in a half

On March 4, 1987, Charles Barkley achieved the record for most offensive rebounds in a half with 13, playing for the Philadelphia 76ers against the New York Knicks.

March 20, 1987: Career-High Rebounds

On March 20, 1987, Charles Barkley recorded 26 points, 25 rebounds (including a career-high-tying 16 offensive rebounds), and nine assists in a win against the Denver Nuggets.

November 30, 1988: 41 Points, 22 Rebounds, 6 Steals

On November 30, 1988, Charles Barkley recorded 41 points, 22 rebounds, five assists, and six steals in a win over the Blazers.

1989: Finished second in MVP voting

During the 1989-90 season, Charles Barkley finished second in MVP voting behind Magic Johnson despite receiving more first-place votes.

1991: Barkley Collaborates on Autobiography "Outrageous"

In 1991, Charles Barkley and sportswriter Roy S. Johnson collaborated on the autobiographical work "Outrageous." Barkley later quipped that he was misquoted in his own autobiography due to editorial choices made by Johnson.

Outrageous!: The Fine Life and Flagrant Good Times of Basketball's Irresistible Force

Check it on Amazon

1991: Named All-Star Game MVP

In 1991, Charles Barkley was named the NBA All-Star Game MVP.

July 17, 1992: Traded to the Phoenix Suns

On July 17, 1992, Charles Barkley was officially traded to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Jeff Hornacek, Tim Perry, and Andrew Lang.

1992: The "Dream Team"

In 1992, Charles Barkley was a member of the United States Olympic Basketball team that was nicknamed "Dream Team".

1992: Trade to Phoenix and Olympic Gold

In 1992, Charles Barkley was traded to the Phoenix Suns and also played in the Summer Olympics. International rules were changed, allowing NBA players like Barkley to compete in the Olympics for the first time, he joined the 'Dream Team'.

1992: Won Gold Medal in Olympics

In 1992, Charles Barkley won a gold medal as a member of the U.S. national team at the Olympic Games.

June 5, 1993: Most free throws made in a half

On June 5, 1993, while playing for the Phoenix Suns against the Seattle SuperSonics, Charles Barkley made a record of 19 free throws in a half.

1993: Barkley Hosts Saturday Night Live

Charles Barkley hosted Saturday Night Live for the first time in 1993. He hosted the show on four separate occasions between 1993 and 2018.

Loading Video...

1993: NBA MVP Award

In 1993, Charles Barkley earned the league's Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

1993: Voted League MVP and led the Suns to the NBA Finals

In 1993, Charles Barkley was voted the league's MVP while leading the Phoenix Suns to the NBA Finals.

1993: McDonald's Open MVP and NBA Season

In 1993, despite back pains, Charles Barkley won the McDonald's Open in Germany and was named the tournament's MVP. In the NBA, he averaged 21.6 points and 11.2 rebounds per game, securing a spot in his eighth consecutive All-Star Game, although he couldn't play due to a torn quadriceps tendon.

1995: Final Season with Phoenix Suns

In the 1995-96 season, Charles Barkley played his last season with the Phoenix Suns. He led the team in scoring, rebounds, and steals, averaging 23.3 points, 11.6 rebounds. He earned his tenth All-Star Game appearance and achieved his 18th career triple-double on November 22. He became the tenth player in NBA history to reach 20,000 points and 10,000 rebounds in their career.

1996: Barkley Appears in Space Jam

In 1996, Charles Barkley played himself in the film "Space Jam."

Loading Video...

1996: The United States Olympic Basketball team

In 1996, Charles Barkley was instrumental in helping the United States Olympic Basketball team compile a perfect 16-0 record.

1996: Won Second Gold Medal in Olympics

In 1996, Charles Barkley won his second gold medal as a member of the U.S. national team at the Olympic Games.

April 19, 2000: Final Game and Retirement

On April 19, 2000, Charles Barkley returned for one final game against the Vancouver Grizzlies, scoring a memorable basket before retiring, marking the end of his sixteen-year Hall of Fame career.

2000: Retired from NBA

In 2000, Charles Barkley retired as the fourth player in NBA history to achieve 20,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, and 4,000 assists.

2000: Barkley Writes Foreword for Rick Reilly's Book

In 2000, Charles Barkley wrote the foreword for Sports Illustrated columnist Rick Reilly's book "The Life of Reilly", including a humorous quip about throwing Reilly through a plate glass window.

Life of Reilly

Check it on Amazon

2000: Studio analyst for TNT

Since 2000, Charles Barkley has served as a studio analyst for Turner Network Television (TNT), appearing on NBA coverage during pre-game and halftime shows, and special NBA events.

2002: Host of Listen Up! Charles Barkley with Ernie Johnson

From 2002 to 2003, Charles Barkley co-hosted a sports and general topics talk show with guests on TNT called Listen Up! Charles Barkley with Ernie Johnson.

2002: Barkley Releases "I May Be Wrong, But I Doubt It"

In 2002, Charles Barkley released the book "I May Be Wrong, But I Doubt It", which included editing and commentary by his close friend Michael Wilbon.

I May Be Wrong but I Doubt It

Check it on Amazon

2003: Host of Listen Up! Charles Barkley with Ernie Johnson

From 2002 to 2003, Charles Barkley co-hosted a sports and general topics talk show with guests on TNT called Listen Up! Charles Barkley with Ernie Johnson.

2004: Celebrity guest picker for College GameDay

In 2004, Charles Barkley was the first-ever celebrity guest picker for College GameDay.

2006: Advocated for gay marriage

In 2006, Charles Barkley told Fox Sports that he is a big advocate of gay marriage, stating "If they want to get married, God bless them."

February 19, 2009: Barkley Returns to TNT After Hiatus

On February 19, 2009, Charles Barkley returned to TNT after a two-month hiatus following his DUI arrest, discussing the incident on the NBA pregame show. T-Mobile resumed airing ads featuring Barkley shortly after his return.

2011: Expressed support for the LGBT community

During a 2011 Martin Luther King Jr. Day double-header on TNT, Charles Barkley responded to a statement made by Dr. King's daughter Bernice, by expressing support for equality for every man and woman, including the LGBT community.

2011: Barkley Becomes Spokesman for WeightWatchers

In 2011, Charles Barkley became a spokesman for WeightWatchers, promoting their "Lose Like a Man" program in television and online ads.

2011: Studio analyst for NCAA tournament coverage

Since 2011, Charles Barkley has served as a studio analyst for the joint coverage of the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament between Turner Sports and CBS.

January 7, 2012: Guest commentator for NFL Wild Card playoffs

On January 7, 2012, Charles Barkley served as a guest commentator for NBC's coverage of the NFL Wild Card playoffs, the same night he hosted Saturday Night Live.

2013: Stated that anyone who thinks they never played with a gay player is an idiot

In 2013, in response to Celtics player Jason Collins coming out, Charles Barkley stated, “I think anybody who thinks they never played with a gay player is an idiot."

July 2016: Announced hosting of The Race Card

In July 2016, it was announced that Charles Barkley would host a six-episode unscripted show called The Race Card, which was later renamed to American Race.

May 11, 2017: American Race premiered on TNT

On May 11, 2017, "American Race", a six-episode unscripted show hosted by Charles Barkley, premiered on TNT.

Loading Video...

2018: Barkley Hosts Saturday Night Live

Charles Barkley hosted Saturday Night Live on four separate occasions between 1993 and 2018.

Loading Video...

2019: Barkley Appears in "The Piña Colada Song" Episode of The Goldbergs

In 2019, Charles Barkley appeared in "The Piña Colada Song" episode of The Goldbergs as a gym teacher and alien conspiracy theorist.

October 2022: Signed contract extension with Warner Bros. Discovery Sports

In October 2022, Charles Barkley signed a 10-year contract extension with Warner Bros. Discovery Sports, owner of TNT, to remain as an analyst on Inside the NBA.

2022: Expressed support for gay and transgender people

In 2022, a video surfaced of Charles Barkley speaking at an event where he made comments vehemently in favor of the LGBT community, saying "If you're gay and transgender, I love you. And if anybody gives you sh-t, you tell them Charles said 'f--k you.'"

2023: Co-hosting King Charles on CNN

In the fall of 2023, Charles Barkley began co-hosting a news discussion program called King Charles alongside Gayle King on CNN. It was a limited-run series that aired on Wednesdays at 10pm.