Charles Barkley

Charles Barkley: A Brief Biography

Charles Barkley is a retired American professional basketball player who played in the NBA. Barkley is widely recognized as one of the greatest power forwards in history, with his rebounding prowess earning him the affectionate nickname “The Round Mound of Rebound.” His NBA journey began when the Philadelphia 76ers selected him with the fifth overall pick in the 1984 NBA Draft.

For the next eight years, Barkley was the face of the 76ers. On the court, he was a double-double machine, and off the court, he showcased a fun personality that made him a wildly popular figure amongst NBA faithfuls. Despite his remarkable individual performances, Barkley's time in Philadelphia didn't result in any significant team success.

However, Barkley's famous trade to the Phoenix Suns in 1992 truly cemented his status among the game's elite. His tenure with the Suns was marked by a MVP award and a trip to the NBA Finals in 1993.

Post-retirement, Barkley has become a beloved figure in the world of basketball broadcasting due to his larger-than-life personality, mixed with a unique blend of humor and basketball expertise. He remains an iconic figure in NBA history, celebrated for his on-court excellence and his ability to connect with fans, solidifying his place among basketball legends.

Charles Barkley Personal Information

Early Life

Charles Barkley was born in Leeds, Alabama, near Birmingham. He made history as soon as he was born since he was the first black baby born in a hospital that only allowed white patients previously. Later, he attended one of the first elementary schools to accept black students.

In high school, Barkley’s height was hardly 5 ft 10 inches, and didn't make the high school basketball team. But, after a growth spurt he became a starting player, and led his team to a 26-3 record by averaging 19.1 points and 17.9 rebounds per game. Barkley was soon recruited by Sam Smith of Auburn University who praised him saying “a fat guy... who can play like the wind.” He eventually went to Auburn University, where he studied business management, and played basketball for the Auburn Tigers.

In college, Barkley put on a show. He played center in college and despite being small for a center, his exceptional quick off-the-feet leaping ability made him a standout in rebounding. He was a crowd favorite, dazzling fans with dunks and blocked shots.

In his three-year college career, Barkley averaged 14.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game. In 1984, he led the Tigers to their first ever NCAA tournament appearance where they lost in the first round against Richmond. However, Barkley stuffed the stat sheet with 23 points, 17 rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocks.

Barkley's collegiate achievements included leading the SEC in rebounding each season, SEC Player of the Year (1984), and an NCAA tournament appearance. Auburn retired his No. 34 jersey in 2001.

Charles Barkley Personal Life

Charles Barkley's multifaceted personal life extends beyond athletics. He is a renowned studio analyst for Turner Network Television (TNT) since 2000, has a passion for golf, made appearances in various films and TV shows, and authored several books. In a less favorable aspect of his life, Barkley has candidly acknowledged his battle with compulsive gambling.

As a NBA analyst for TNT, Barkley has won four Sports Emmy Awards for "Outstanding Studio Analyst. He loves to play golf as he frequently competes in the American Century Championship, but usually finishes at the bottom of the leaderboard. Although, in an unexpected turn, Barkley, along with Phil Mickelson, achieved an upset victory in 2020 “The Match: Champions for Change” by beating Peyton Manning and Stephen Curry with a score of 4-3. He's also an avid poker player and has participated in professional poker events.

In the literary world, Barkley has authored books like "Outrageous!" and "Who's Afraid of a Large Black Man?" offering insights into his experiences and viewpoints.

Barkley's acting appearances include roles in "Space Jam" (1996), "Suits" (season 5), "Modern Family" (season 8), and voice roles in animated series like "Clerks: The Animated Series" and "We Bare Bears." He even hosted "Saturday Night Live" on four occasions between 1993 and 2018.

Charles Barkley Family Background

Charles Barkley has a strong bond with his mother, Charcey Glenn, who is a significant influence in his life. When Charles Barkley was just a kid, his parents got divorced. He grew up alongside his younger brother Darryl Barkley. Later, his mother remarried, and had a son, named John Glenn. Charles Barkley was the oldest amongst three children in the house. When he was 11 years old, his stepfather tragically died in an accident.

Charles Barkley Wife

Charles Barkley is married to Maureen Blumhardt. Blumhardt crossed paths with Barkley at the City Avenue restaurant, where their friendly conversations eventually blossomed into a profound love connection. They married in 1989, in the time when interracial marriages were unconventional, and a rarity among wealthy athletes. Their daughter, Christiana, was born in the same year. Despite their high-profile careers and success, Barkley and Blumhardt deliberately lead a private life.

Charles Barkley Kids

Charles Barkley and Maureen Blumhardt have one child, a daughter named Christiana. She was born in December 1989 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Christiana graduated in journalism from Columbia University in New York, and in 2021, she married Ilya Hoffman, the founder of DemandByte.

Christiana Barkley currently serves as the Director of Writing and Senior Account Manager at the Koppelman Group, a college consulting company. Interestingly, she was named after the Christiana Mall in Delaware, as revealed by her father on "The Steam Room" podcast. Much like the rest of the family, Christiana maintains a private life away from the public eye.

Charles Barkley Social Media

Charles Barkley is not on any social media platform. Time and time again, Barkley has stated that he hates social media. His decision to abstain from social media platforms is rooted in his experiences and observations of online interactions.

He believes that some people use these platforms to harass successful individuals and that it's a space where they can take shots at those who have achieved success. Barkley's reluctance to be on social media stems from his early experiences in the 1980s, where he faced criticism from random individuals. He views the rise of social media as amplifying this behavior.

Despite the prevalence of social media in contemporary society, Barkley has made a conscious decision to steer clear of Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, maintaining his distance from the potential negativity and harassment that can occur in those spaces.

Charles Barkley Net Worth

As of 2023, Charles Barkley has a net worth of approximately $70 million. His financial success is attributed to a series of lucrative endorsements and commercial appearances.

Charles Barkley Brand Ambassador

Due to his enigmatic personality, Barkley has always been a highly sought-after brand ambassador, who could feature prominently in advertisements for numerous prominent companies. He has amassed millions of dollars through endorsement deals with renowned brands such as Nike, FanDuel, T-Mobile, McDonald's, Dick's Sporting Goods, and Right Guard.

One of his most memorable moments in the world of advertising was his iconic Nike commercial, where he famously declared, "I am not a role model," during the peak of his playing days.

Charles Barkley Investments

Charles Barkley has made two significant investments. One involves providing a grant to Spelman College, and the other is an undisclosed investment in NeuroVice, a company specializing in medical device technology aimed at enhancing the patient experience.

Charles Barkley Career Stats

Over the span of his 16-year NBA career, Charles Barkley averaged 22.1 points, 11.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game.

His career totals are: Points: 23,757, Rebounds: 12,546, Assists: 4,215, Steals: 1,648 Blocks: 888, Field Goal percentage: 54.1%, 3-point percentage: 26.6%, Free Throw percentage: 73.5%

Charles Barkley Achievements

Charles Barkley is an 11-time NBA All-Star, 11 time All-NBA Team member, and won the 1993 NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. He was also recognized as one of the all-time greats by the NBA, being named to the NBA's 50th and 75th anniversary teams.

Barkley's rookie season was impressive, earning him a spot on the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 1985. He led the league in rebounding during the 1986-87 season, and to this day, Barkley is wathe shortest player to win a rebounding title. Barkley also holds the record for most offensive rebounds in a half with an astonishing 13 offensive rebounds during a game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks on March 4, 1987. In the same game, he grabbed 11 boards in a quarter which is also a NBA record.

Barkley also holds the record for most free throws made in a half. He sank an incredible 19 free throws in a half during a game between the Phoenix Suns and the Seattle SuperSonics on June 5, 1993.

Barkley also holds the record for the most free throw attempts in a 7-game series. Barkley attempted 100 free throws in a 7-game series while playing for the Philadelphia 76ers against the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1986 conference semifinals. He also has the dubious record of having most turnovers in a 7-game series. In the same series, Barkley recorded 37 turnovers, underlining his significant role in the games.

Barkley also represented the U.S. national team in the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games, winning two gold medals. Upon retiring in 2000, he became the fourth NBA player to achieve 20,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, and 4,000 assists, a club later joined by Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, and LeBron James.

Barkley was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame twice, first in 2006 for his individual career and again in 2010 as a member of the "Dream Team."

Charles Barkley House

Charles Barkley owns one estate located in Scottsdale, Arizona. He acquired it for approximately $2.2 million during his tenure with the Phoenix Suns. This lavish estate features a mini golf course, a private swimming pool - a necessity in the scorching Arizona climate. The house boasts around 10 rooms and an impressive 12 bathrooms.

Charles Barkley Cars

Charles Barkley is a car enthusiast and proudly owns several luxurious vehicles, including the Lincoln Navigator and a Bentley.