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 the average power forward. Barkley was an 11-time NBA All-Star, 11-time All-NBA Team member, and the 1993 NBA MVP. He was recognized as one of the NBA's greatest players, earning spots on the league's 50th and 75th anniversary teams. After his successful playing career, he transitioned to broadcasting.

Sections (5)

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

1974: 76ers Miss Playoffs

In 1974 the 76ers failed to make the playoffs.

1976: Suns First NBA Finals Appearance

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

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 Philadelphia 76ers

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

1984: Olympic Team Tryouts

In 1984, Charles Barkley was invited to the spring tryouts for the U.S. Olympic team but did not make the final cut.

1985: Named to the All-Rookie First Team

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

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: Led League in Rebounding

In 1986, Charles Barkley led the NBA league in rebounding average, earning his first rebounding title.

March 20, 1987: 25 Rebound Game

On March 20, 1987, Charles Barkley recorded 26 points and 25 rebounds in a game against the Denver Nuggets.

November 30, 1988: 41 Points, 22 Rebounds

On November 30, 1988, Charles Barkley recorded 41 points, 22 rebounds, five assists, and six steals in a 114–106 win over the Blazers.

1989: Finished Second in MVP Voting

In 1989, Charles Barkley finished second in MVP voting behind Magic Johnson.

1991: 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: Olympic Gold Medal

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

1993: Earns League MVP Honors

In 1993, Charles Barkley earned league MVP honors, highlighting his physical style of play and his contributions to the sport.

1993: Named NBA MVP

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

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: Last Season with the Phoenix Suns

In the 1995-96 season, Charles Barkley played his last season with the Phoenix Suns, leading the team in scoring, rebounds, and steals, while also earning his tenth All-Star Game appearance and reaching milestones of 20,000 points and 10,000 rebounds.

1996: Second Olympic Gold Medal

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

1996: Named to the NBA's 50th Anniversary Team

In 1996, as part of the NBA's 50th Anniversary, Charles Barkley was honored as one of the 50 greatest players of all time by being named to the NBA's 50th Anniversary Team.

1998: Considered running for Alabama's governorship

In 1998, Charles Barkley considered running as a Republican candidate for Alabama's governorship in the 1998 election. He did not run in the end.

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 after completing his goal of walking off the court on his own terms.

2000: Achieved 20,000 Points, 10,000 Rebounds, and 4,000 Assists

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: Studio Analyst for TNT

Since 2000, Charles Barkley has served as a studio analyst for Turner Network Television (TNT), appearing on pre-game and halftime shows, as well as special NBA events. He is a regular on Inside the NBA.

2002: Hosted Listen Up! Charles Barkley with Ernie Johnson

In 2002, Charles Barkley began hosting a sports and general topics talk show with guests on TNT called Listen Up! Charles Barkley with Ernie Johnson.

2003: Continued to host Listen Up! Charles Barkley with Ernie Johnson

In 2003, Charles Barkley continued to host a sports and general topics talk show with guests on TNT called Listen Up! Charles Barkley with Ernie Johnson.

March 20, 2004: Included in the "Suns Ring of Honor"

On March 20, 2004, the Phoenix Suns honored Charles Barkley by including him in the "Suns Ring of Honor".

2004: First Celebrity Guest Picker for College GameDay

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

July 2006: Lent credence to idea of 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 and noted that he would not be eligible to run until 2014.

2006: Expressed support for LGBT rights

In 2006, Charles Barkley told Fox Sports that he is a big advocate of gay marriage and believes that if gay people want to get married, then God bless them.

July 2007: Declared support for Barack Obama

In July 2007, Charles Barkley made a video declaring his support for Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential election.

September 2007: Declared himself an Independent and bought a house in Alabama

In September 2007, Charles Barkley announced that he bought a house in Alabama and declared himself an Independent, not a Democrat, during a broadcast on Monday Night Football, to satisfy residency requirements for a potential 2014 campaign for governor.

February 2008: Announced candidacy 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: Officially 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.

2008: Expressed support for Barack Obama

In July 2007, Charles Barkley made a video declaring his support for Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential election.

November 24, 2009: Began to back off idea of running for governor

In a November 24, 2009 interview on The Jay Leno Show, Charles Barkley began to back off the idea of running for governor.

2010: Confirmed he was not running in 2014

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

2011: Expressed support for LGBT rights

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 served 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 then.

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 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 after 13 years, with a potential end in 2016, citing a need for a new challenge.

2014: Previously planned to run for Governor

In February 2008, Charles Barkley announced that he would be running for Governor of Alabama in 2014 as an Independent. In 2010, he confirmed that he was not running in 2014.

2014: Expressed interest in running for Governor

In September 2006, Charles Barkley reiterated his desire to run for governor of Alabama and noted that he would not be eligible to run until 2014.

August 2015: Supported John Kasich in the 2016 presidential election

In August 2015, Charles Barkley announced his support for Republican John Kasich in the 2016 presidential election.

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 American Race.

2016: Planned broadcasting retirement

In 2016, Charles Barkley had previously planned to retire but ended up signing another contract with Turner Sports.

2016: John Kasich in the presidential election

In August 2015, Charles Barkley announced his support for Republican John Kasich in the 2016 presidential election.

May 11, 2017: Premiere of "American Race" on TNT

On May 11, 2017, Charles Barkley's show, "American Race", premiered on TNT. The show, previously titled "The Race Card", is an unscripted series.

2019: Confirmed he would not be running for office

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

October 2021: Named to the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team

In October 2021, as part of the NBA's 75th Anniversary, Charles Barkley was honored as one of the 75 greatest players of all time by being named to the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team.

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 remain an analyst on Inside the NBA.

2022: Expressed vehement support for LGBTQ community

In 2022, a video surfaced of Charles Barkley speaking at an event where he made comments vehemently in favor of the LGBTQ 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: Planned broadcasting retirement at 60

Charles Barkley stated that he wanted to retire when he turned 60 in 2023 from broadcasting.

2023: Spoke out against Bud Light boycott

In 2023, Charles Barkley spoke out against the Bud Light boycott in the United States, mainly by conservatives who oppose the brand's endorsements by transgender actress Dylan Mulvaney; he said that he would buy Bud Light for the crowd at a celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe, and condemned the boycotters as "rednecks".

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.

June 2024: Announced then reversed his retirement 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.