Charles Barkley

Biography

Date of Birth 20 February 1963, Leeds, Alabama, USA Birth Name Charles Wade Barkley Height 6' 5" (1.96 m) Spouse Maureen Blumhardt (9 February 1989 - present) 1 child Trade Mark Bald Head. Trivia Elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006. Announced that he would enter the Hall as a Philadelphia 76er. He was voted one of the NBA's fifty greatest players of all time. NBA MVP with the Suns in 1993, led them the NBA finals Attended Leeds High School in Leeds, Alabama, a small suburb just outside of Birmingham. One of their outdoor basketball courts carries the name "Charles Barkley Court" in his honor. Played three seasons at Auburn University before leaving early for the NBA draft. Nearly made the 1984 US Olympic basketball team, but was cut on the final day by coach Bob Knight for making snide remarks about Coach Knight "wearing his granddaddy's shoes." Shortest player in NBA history to lead the league in rebounding, in 1986-87. Wore number 34, his college number, for most of his career with Philadelphia and Phoenix, but switched to 32 in his last season (1991-92) with the 76ers as a tribute to Earvin "Magic" Johnson, who was forced to retire before that season due to being HIV positive. Played 16 seasons in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers (1984-85 to 1991-92), Phoenix Suns (1992-93 to 1995-96), and Houston Rockets (1996-97 to 1999-2000). Member of the 1992 (Dream Team) and 1996 gold medal US Basketball team. Only player on the original U.S. Olympic "Dream Team" of 1992 whose NBA team finished the previous season with a losing record and out of the playoffs. His best friend is Michael Jordan. Inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Ma. on September 8, 2006. Other inductees included Dominique Wilkins and Joe Dumars. Arrested on suspicion of DUI on December 31, 2008 in Scottsdale, Arizona. Personal Quotes I'm not paid to be a role model, parents should be role models. I'm a mad dog whose only concern is winning. Just because you say something doesn't make it controversial, and it doesn't make you a bad person. We're not all supposed to think alike.