Prior to a very successful career in professional basketball, Charles Barkley played three seasons at Auburn from 1981-84. He was named second-team all SEC in 1982 and 1983 and first-team all SEC, the SEC Player of the Year, the SEC Tournament MVP, and an All-American in 1984 before becoming the fifth overall pick in the NBA Draft that same year.
Barkley went on to enjoy a Hall of Fame NBA career from 1984 to 2000 with the Philadelphia 76ers (1984-92), Phoenix Suns (1992-96), and Houston Rockets (1996-00). He burst on the NBA scene in 1985 as he was named to the All-Rookie First Team, then was named an NBA All-Star a whopping 11 times in his career (and All-Star Game MVP in 1991); an All-NBA First Team selection five times; received All-NBA Second Team honors another five times; and was named the league MVP in 1993. His number 34 was not only retired by Auburn but by the 76ers and Suns as well.
Barkley also represented his country as a member of the USA men's basketball team in the 1992 and 1996 Olympics, helping the team secure gold medals in both years.