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, primarily as a power forward, despite being shorter than average for the position. Known for his rebounding and scoring prowess, Barkley was an 11-time NBA All-Star, 11-time All-NBA Team selection, and the 1993 NBA MVP. He was also named to the NBA's 50th and 75th anniversary teams, solidifying his legacy as one of basketball's greats.

Sections (5)

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

1976: First NBA Finals appearance since 1976

In 1992-1993, Charles Barkley led Phoenix to their first NBA Finals appearance since 1976.

1984: Led Auburn to First NCAA Tournament

In 1984, Charles Barkley led the Auburn Tigers to their first NCAA tournament in school history, finishing with 23 points and 17 rebounds in the game.

1984: Drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers

In 1984, Charles Barkley was drafted as a junior out of Auburn University by the Philadelphia 76ers with the fifth pick of the NBA draft.

1986: Led the NBA in Rebounding

In 1986-87 season, Charles Barkley led the NBA in rebounding, averaging a career-high 14.6 rebounds per game and becoming the shortest player in NBA history to achieve this.

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: Olympic Debut and Gold Medal Win

In 1992, Charles Barkley competed in the Olympic Games for the first time after international rules changed, allowing NBA players to participate. He won a gold medal as a member of the United States men's basketball "Dream Team".

1992: Competed in the Olympic Games

In 1992, Charles Barkley competed in the Olympic Games, winning a gold medal as a member of the U.S. national team.

1992: Trade to Phoenix Suns and Olympic Appearance

In 1992, Charles Barkley was traded to the Phoenix Suns, marking a successful transition for both parties. Additionally, international rules changed, allowing NBA players like Barkley to compete in the Olympics for the first time, where he joined the "Dream Team".

1993: Named NBA MVP

In 1993, Charles Barkley was named the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP).

1993: McDonald's Open MVP and Injury Struggles

In 1993, despite facing severe back pain, Charles Barkley began the 1993-94 season by winning the McDonald's Open in Germany and being named the tournament's MVP. He also played in the NBA, battling injuries, including a torn right quadriceps tendon.

1993: Voted League MVP and Led Suns to NBA Finals

In 1993, while playing for the Phoenix Suns, Charles Barkley was voted the league's MVP and led the team to the NBA Finals.

1995: Considered running for Alabama's governorship

In 1995, Charles Barkley considered running as a Republican candidate for Alabama's governorship in the 1998 election.

1995: Final 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. He achieved his tenth All-Star Game appearance and recorded his 18th career triple-double on November 22, 1995. He was then traded to Houston after the Suns closed out the season with a 41–41 record.

1996: Led Team in Scoring, Rebounds and Field Goal Percentage at the 1996 Olympics

At the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympic Games, Barkley led the team in scoring, rebounds, and field goal percentage. He averaged 12.4 points on 81.6% field goal shooting, setting a U.S. Men's Olympic record.

1996: Second Olympic Gold Medal

Charles Barkley wins his second gold medal at the Olympic games in 1996.

1998: Potential Alabama's governorship election

In 1995, Charles Barkley considered running as a Republican candidate for Alabama's governorship in the 1998 election.

April 19, 2000: Final Game and Retirement

On April 19, 2000, Charles Barkley returned for one final game against the Vancouver Grizzlies. He scored a memorable basket and then retired, concluding his sixteen-year Hall of Fame career and walking off the court on his own terms.

2000: Studio analyst for TNT

Since 2000, Charles Barkley has worked as a studio analyst for Turner Network Television (TNT), appearing on NBA coverage during pre-game and halftime shows, as well as special NBA events, and winning five Sports Emmy Awards for "Outstanding Studio Analyst" for his work on TNT.

2002: Hosted "Listen Up!"

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

2003: Hosted "Listen Up!"

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

2004: Celebrity guest picker for College GameDay

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

July 2006: Considered running for Governor of Alabama

At a July 2006 meeting of the Southern Regional Conference of the National School Boards Association in Destin, Florida, Charles Barkley lent credence to the idea of running for Governor of Alabama.

September 2006: Reiterated desire to run for governor

In September 2006, Charles Barkley reiterated his desire to run for governor of Alabama, noting he couldn't run until 2014 due to residency requirements.

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."

September 2007: Announced house purchase in Alabama and declared himself Independent

In September 2007, Charles Barkley announced that he bought a house in Alabama to satisfy residency requirements for a 2014 campaign for governor and declared himself an Independent.

February 2008: Announced run for Governor of Alabama in 2014

In February 2008, Charles Barkley announced that he would be running for Governor of Alabama in 2014 as an Independent.

October 27, 2008: Announced candidacy for Governor of Alabama

On October 27, 2008, Charles Barkley officially announced his candidacy for Governor of Alabama in an interview with CNN, planning to run in the 2014 election cycle.

February 19, 2009: Return to TNT after DUI hiatus

On February 19, 2009, Charles Barkley returned to TNT after taking a two-month hiatus following his DUI arrest. He discussed the incident and his experiences during the first segment of the NBA pregame show.

November 24, 2009: Began backing off the idea of running for governor

On November 24, 2009, Charles Barkley began to back off the idea of running for Governor of Alabama during an interview on The Jay Leno Show.

2010: Confirmed not running for governor in 2014

In 2010, Charles Barkley confirmed that he was not running for Governor of Alabama in 2014.

2011: Expressed support for LGBTQ+ equality on MLK Day

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 saying, "People try to make it about black and white. [But] he talked about equality for every man, every woman. We have a thing going on now, people discriminating against homosexuality in this country. I love the homosexuality people. God bless the gay people. They are great people."

2011: Studio analyst for NCAA Tournament coverage

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

January 7, 2012: Guest commentator for NFL Wild Card playoffs and host of SNL

On January 7, 2012, Charles Barkley served as a guest commentator for NBC's coverage of the NFL Wild Card playoffs, and on the same night, he hosted Saturday Night Live which is taped next door to the Football Night in America studio in Manhattan's GE Building.

November 2012: Contemplated retirement from broadcasting

In November 2012, Charles Barkley announced that he was contemplating retirement from broadcasting after 13 years, potentially at the end of his contract, citing a need for a new challenge.

2013: Stated he believed everyone played with a gay player

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."

2014: Planned to run for Governor of Alabama

In February 2008, Charles Barkley announced that he would be running for Governor of Alabama in 2014 as an Independent.

2014: Potential Alabama's governorship election

In September 2007, Charles Barkley announced that he bought a house in Alabama to satisfy residency requirements for a 2014 campaign for governor and declared himself an Independent.

July 2016: Announcement of unscripted show "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 American Race.

2016: Initial plan to retire

In 2016, Charles Barkley had initially planned to retire from broadcasting but instead signed another contract with Turner Sports.

May 11, 2017: Premiere of American Race

On May 11, 2017, Charles Barkley's six-episode unscripted show, originally called The Race Card, premiered on TNT under the new name American Race.

2019: Confirmed not running for office

On Lance Armstrong's podcast in 2019, Charles Barkley confirmed that he would not be running for office.

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, the owner of TNT, to continue working as an analyst on Inside the NBA.

2022: Expressed vehement support for the LGBT community

In 2022, a video surfaced of Charles Barkley speaking at an event where he made comments vehemently in favor of the LGBT community: "I want to say this. 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: Intended retirement date

Charles Barkley stated that he initially wanted to retire in 2023, when he turned 60 years old, but he later signed a contract extension with Warner Bros. Discovery Sports to remain as an analyst on Inside the NBA.

2023: Co-hosted "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. King Charles ended in April the following year.

June 2024: Announced intention to retire from television

In June 2024, Charles Barkley announced his intention to retire from television following the conclusion of the 2024–25 NBA season but later reversed this decision in August, opting to stay with TNT Sports on his ten-year, $210 million contract.