Former Auburn Tigers star basketball player Charles Barkley will likely be looking forward to retirement life. He joined Turner Network Television (TNT) in 2000 as part of their NBA coverage. Barkley retired from the NBA following his five-year stint with the Houston Rockets, which ended in 2000.
“That’s probably going to be it for me”, Barkley stated in regards to his contracting ending in two years. “It’s been a great, great thing. I love Ernie (Johnson), Kenny (Smith), Shaq (O’Neal), and everybody we work with. But I just don’t feel the need to work until the day I die. I don’t, man. I’ll be 61 years old if I finish out my contract.”
“And I don’t want to die on TV. I want to die on the golf course or somewhere fishing.” Barkley went on to make a playful jab at his friend Shaq about his weight.
Barkley was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1984 NBA draft at No. 5 overall after four years with Auburn. His No. 34 jersey was retired by his alma mater. He was named SEC Player of the Year in 1984 and the SEC Tournament MVP for his efforts. Barkley would be inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.
He would go on to enjoy a 16-year NBA career with three teams. The five-time All-NBA forward never won the championship. He came close before he ran into some guy named Michael Jordan. They appeared together in the ‘Space Jam’ movie.
For Barkley, I am sure he is looking forward to spending more time on the golf course in the next several years after he steps away from broadcasting.