The following biographical sketch was compiled at the time of induction into the Academy in 2024.

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Charles Wade Barkley was born in Leeds, Alabama, in 1963. He received his primary education
there and graduated from Leeds High School. From 1981 to 1984, he attended Auburn University,
where he distinguished himself as a standout athlete on the basketball team. During his three seasons
with the Auburn Tigers, Barkley led the Southeastern Conference (SEC) in rebounds and garnered
numerous accolades, including the SEC Player of the Year in 1984, three All-SEC selections, and a
Second Team All-American designation.

Barkley was drafted in 1984 by the Philadelphia 76ers, beginning a 16-year professional basketball
career that would mark him as one of the greatest players in National Basketball Association (NBA)
history. He is a two-time inductee into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He was also an
integral part of the gold medal-winning USA Basketball “Dream Team” at the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games.

After retiring from professional basketball, Barkley transitioned to broadcasting in 2000, joining Turner Network Television (TNT) as an NBA analyst. During his 21-year tenure as a sports journalist and commentator for TNT, he also won an Emmy award. He is a key figure on the popular post-game show Inside the NBA, where he provides insights and commentary alongside fellow analysts Shaquille O’Neal, Ernie Johnson Jr., and Kenny Smith.

In addition to his athletic and broadcasting careers, Barkley has also made appearances in film and on television, including Space Jam, Saturday Night Live, Suits, and Modern Family. He has authored two books: I May Be Wrong, But I Doubt It (2002) and Who’s Afraid of a Large Black Man? (2006).

Barkley is the majority owner of Redmont Distilling Company, LLC, a prominent distillery based in Alabama. He embarked on his investment journey in mid-2018, seeking opportunities in local Alabama businesses. His discussions with business partners John Hudson and Montal Morton eventually led to a significant investment in Redmont Distilling, where he collaborates closely with Morton, the company president, and head distiller Jonathan Guidry. As the face of the company, Barkley actively participates in marketing and charity events to promote the brand.

With a remarkable career in sports and a successful venture in business, Charles Barkley continues to leave his mark both on and off the court as a businessman, analyst, philanthropist, and cultural icon. To date, Barkley has donated millions to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and the Wounded Warrior Project, and he is passionate about investing in the next generation by encouraging and inspiring young people to make wise decisions. His greatest joy is being a grandfather.

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