Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Charles Barkley
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Charles Barkley made an impact.
Charles Barkley, nicknamed "Sir Charles", is a retired American professional basketball player and current television analyst. He played 16 seasons in the NBA, known for his rebounding and scoring prowess despite being shorter than most power forwards. Barkley's accolades include 11-time NBA All-Star, 11-time All-NBA Team selection, and the 1993 NBA MVP award. He was also named to the NBA's 50th and 75th anniversary teams, solidifying his legacy as one of basketball's greats.
1974: 76ers missed the playoffs for the first time since 1974-75 season
In 1974, the 76ers did not make the playoffs, which was the first time the team had missed the playoffs since the 1974-75 season.
1976: Suns First NBA Finals Appearance
In 1976, The Phoenix Suns had their first NBA Finals appearance.
1983: 76ers Championship
In 1983, the Philadelphia 76ers, who Barkley later joined, won the NBA championship. Barkley learned from veteran players such as Moses Malone.
1984: Led Tigers to NCAA tournament
In 1984, Charles Barkley led the Auburn Tigers to their first NCAA tournament in school history.
1984: Cut from Olympic Team
In 1984, Charles Barkley was among the final cuts from the U.S. Olympic team coached by Bob Knight.
1984: Drafted by Philadelphia 76ers
In 1984, Charles Barkley was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers with the fifth pick in the NBA draft, joining a team with veteran players.
1985: Named to All-Rookie First Team
In 1985, Charles Barkley was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team after his first season with the Philadelphia 76ers.
November 4, 1986: Recorded career-high 14 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, which the 76ers lost 125–121.
1986: NBA Leading Scorer
In 1986, Charles Barkley began a streak of leading the NBA in 2-point field goal percentage every season.
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, while playing for the Philadelphia 76ers against the Milwaukee Bucks during the Eastern Conference Semi-finals.
1986: Led the league in rebounding average
In 1986, Charles Barkley led the NBA in rebounding average.
1986: Most Turnovers in a 7-Game Series
In 1986, Charles Barkley recorded the most turnovers in a 7-game series with 37, while playing for the Philadelphia 76ers against the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference Semi-finals.
March 4, 1987: Most Offensive Rebounds in a Half
On March 4, 1987, Charles Barkley achieved a record of 13 offensive rebounds in a single half while playing for the Philadelphia 76ers against the New York Knicks.
March 20, 1987: Recorded 26 points and 25 rebounds
On March 20, 1987, Charles Barkley recorded 26 points, 25 rebounds (tying a career-high 16 offensive rebounds), and nine assists in a 116–106 win over the Denver Nuggets.
1987: NBA Field Goal Percentage Leader
In 1987, Charles Barkley led the NBA in 2-point field goal percentage. He also led the league in effective field goal percentage.
November 30, 1988: Recorded 41 points, 22 rebounds, five assists, and six steals
On November 30, 1988, Charles Barkley recorded 41 points, 22 rebounds, five assists, and six steals in a 114–106 win over the Blazers.
1988: NBA Field Goal Percentage Leader
In 1988, Charles Barkley led the league in effective field goal percentage.
1989: NBA Offensive Rating Leader
In 1989, Charles Barkley led the league in offensive rating.
1990: NBA Offensive Rating Leader
In 1990, Charles Barkley led the league in offensive rating for the second consecutive year.
1991: Collaboration on Autobiography "Outrageous"
In 1991, Charles Barkley collaborated with sportswriter Roy S. Johnson on his autobiographical work, "Outrageous".
1991: Named All-Star Game MVP
In 1991, Charles Barkley was named the NBA All-Star Game MVP.
July 17, 1992: Traded to 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: Competed in the 1992 Olympic Games
In 1992, Charles Barkley competed in the Olympic Games as a member of the U.S. national team, winning a gold medal.
1992: 1992 Dream Team
In 1992, Charles Barkley earned a gold medal as a member of the United States Olympic Basketball team, the Dream Team.
1992: Trade to Phoenix and Olympic Dream Team
In 1992, Charles Barkley was traded to the Phoenix Suns and joined the "Dream Team" for the Summer Olympics, marking a significant turn in his career and international basketball. The "Dream Team" went 6-0 in the Olympic qualifying tournament and 8-0 against Olympic opponents.
June 5, 1993: Most Free Throws Made in a Half
On June 5, 1993, Charles Barkley set a record for the most free throws made in a half, with 19, while playing for the Phoenix Suns against the Seattle SuperSonics.
1993: Speculation about Last Season in Phoenix
In 1993, Charles Barkley began to speculate that the 1993-94 season would be his last in Phoenix due to severe back pains. Barkley managed 21.6 points on .495 shooting and 11.2 rebounds per game. He was selected to his eighth consecutive All-Star Game, but did not play because of a torn right quadriceps tendon, and was named to the All-NBA Second Team.
1993: League MVP Honors
In 1993, Charles Barkley earned league MVP honors.
1993: Named NBA MVP
In 1993, Charles Barkley was named the NBA's Most Valuable Player (MVP).
1993: Voted League MVP with Phoenix Suns
In 1993, Charles Barkley was voted the NBA league's MVP while leading the Phoenix Suns to the NBA Finals.
1995: Last Season with the Phoenix Suns
In 1995, Charles Barkley played his last season with the Phoenix Suns, leading the team in scoring, rebounds, and steals, averaging 23.3 points on .500 shooting, 11.6 rebounds, and a career high .777 free throw shooting. He earned his tenth appearance in an All-Star Game and posted his 18th career triple-double on November 22.
1996: Leadership at Atlanta Summer Olympics
At the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympic Games, Charles Barkley led the team in scoring, rebounds, and field goal percentage, averaging 12.4 points on 81.6% field goal shooting, setting a U.S. Men's Olympic record. The team captured gold medal.
1996: 1996 Men's Basketball team
In 1996, Charles Barkley earned a gold medal as a member of the United States Olympic Basketball team.
1996: Appearance in "Space Jam"
In 1996, Charles Barkley played himself in the film "Space Jam".
1996: Won gold medal at the 1996 Olympic Games
In 1996, Charles Barkley won a 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 and retiring to a standing ovation. He walked off the court on his own terms.
2000: Retired from NBA
In 2000, Charles Barkley retired from the NBA. He was the fourth player in NBA history to reach 20,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, and 4,000 assists.
2000: Writing 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".
2000: TNT Studio Analyst
Since 2000, Charles Barkley has worked as a studio analyst for Turner Network Television (TNT), contributing to pre-game, halftime shows, and special NBA events. He is a part of the 'Inside the NBA' crew.
2002: Hosted Listen Up! Charles Barkley with Ernie Johnson
From 2002 to 2003, Charles Barkley hosted a sports and general topics talk show called Listen Up! Charles Barkley with Ernie Johnson on TNT.
2002: Release of "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 Michael Wilbon.
2003: Hosted Listen Up! Charles Barkley with Ernie Johnson
From 2002 to 2003, Charles Barkley hosted a sports and general topics talk show called Listen Up! Charles Barkley with Ernie Johnson on TNT.
2004: First Celebrity Guest Picker for College GameDay
In 2004, Charles Barkley was the first-ever celebrity guest picker for College GameDay.
February 19, 2009: Return 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.
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 and has broadcast every Final Four since 2011.
January 7, 2012: Guest Commentator for NFL Playoffs and Host of Saturday Night Live
On January 7, 2012, Charles Barkley served as a guest commentator for NBC's coverage of the NFL Wild Card playoffs and hosted Saturday Night Live the same night.
November 2012: Contemplated Retirement from Broadcasting
In November 2012, Charles Barkley announced he was contemplating retirement from broadcasting, expressing a desire to find his next challenge after 13 years on television.
July 2016: Announcement of The Race Card Show
In July 2016, it was announced that Charles Barkley would host a six-episode unscripted show called 'The Race Card'.
2016: Planned Retirement Year
In 2016, Charles Barkley had initially planned to retire from broadcasting, but he ended up signing another contract with Turner Sports.
May 11, 2017: Premiere of American Race
On May 11, 2017, Charles Barkley's six-episode unscripted show, initially called 'The Race Card' and renamed 'American Race,' premiered on TNT.
August 2017: Response to Confederate Monument Controversy
In August 2017, Charles Barkley responded to the controversy surrounding the removal of Confederate monuments, as highlighted by the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.
September 2017: Criticism of Trump's Stance on NFL Protests
In September 2017, Charles Barkley voiced his disappointment in President Trump's criticism of Colin Kaepernick, who was kneeling during the U.S. National Anthem during the 2016 NFL season. However, Barkley also stated that he does not support athletes kneeling during the National Anthem as a form of protest.
December 2017: Mocking Trump's Tax Bill
In December 2017, Charles Barkley mocked President Trump's tax bill, expressing that it benefited the wealthy at the expense of the poor.
2017: Support for Doug Jones in Alabama Senate Election
In 2017, Charles Barkley supported Democrat Doug Jones in the United States Senate special election in Alabama, criticizing his competitor, Roy Moore.
2019: Appearance on "The Goldbergs"
In 2019, Charles Barkley appeared in "The Piña Colada Song" episode of "The Goldbergs" as a gym teacher.
2020: Concern Over Sports Becoming Too Political
In 2020, Charles Barkley voiced concern that sports were becoming too political, emphasizing that people watch television to escape arguments.
2020: Comments on Police Reform and Breonna Taylor's Death
In 2020, While supporting police and prison reforms, Charles Barkley spoke out against defunding the police. Following the killing of Breonna Taylor, he expressed sadness but noted that her boyfriend shot at the cops, differentiating her situation from George Floyd or Ahmaud Arbery.
2020: Comments on COVID-19 Pandemic and Schools
In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Charles Barkley expressed concern about children's safety in schools, arguing that keeping them at home would widen the gap between the rich and the poor.
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, ensuring he would remain an analyst on Inside the NBA.
2023: 12th highest PER in NBA History
As of 2023, Charles Barkley has the 12th highest PER in NBA history and is 14th in win shares.
2023: Potential Retirement Year
Charles Barkley later stated that he wanted to retire from broadcasting when he turned 60 in 2023.
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.
June 2024: Announced Intention to Retire from Television (Initial Announcement)
In June 2024, Charles Barkley announced his intention to retire from television following the conclusion of the 2024–25 NBA season.
June 2024: Guest Studio Analyst at Stanley Cup Finals Game 2
In June 2024, Charles Barkley served as a guest studio analyst for Game 2 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals, which was broadcast by ABC and produced by ESPN.
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