Charles Barkley Statue
A life-size bronze monument at Auburn University honoring the basketball legend, Hall of Famer, and global icon.
First on the Court
The first statue on Auburn's campus to honor a former athlete who did not play football. Created by sculptor Brian Hanlon.
Barkley jokingly appreciated the "skinny version" of himself depicted in the dynamic bronze pose.
Neville Arena
Situated at the scholarship entrance of Neville Arena (formerly Auburn Arena) at 250 Beard-Eaves Court.
Dedicated November 25, 2017
Iron Bowl Weekend Ceremony
Historic Impact
Recognizes Barkley's historic impact on Auburn basketball, leading the team to its first NCAA Tournament berth in 1984. The statue celebrates his enduring role as a global icon and "brand ambassador" for the university, standing just steps away from Jordan-Hare Stadium.
"A tribute to the 'Round Mound of Rebound' and his lasting legacy."
Access
Open 24/7
Public Landmark
Guests
Bo Jackson & Sonny Smith
Attended Unveiling
Celebrating a basketball legend who put Auburn on the map in a football town.
History & Background
Charles Barkley was born on February 20, 1963, in Leeds, Alabama — a small city in Jefferson County east of Birmingham. Growing up in a modest household, Barkley developed into one of the most physically dominant and unconventional players in NBA history despite being undersized for his position at 6 feet 6 inches. Known as "Sir Charles" and "The Round Mound of Rebound," Barkley overcame the conventional wisdom that he was too short and too round to succeed in the NBA to become a player of extraordinary power, skill, and force of personality.
Barkley played college basketball at Auburn University — an hour's drive from his Leeds hometown — before being selected 5th overall in the 1984 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. He played 16 seasons with Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Houston, winning the NBA MVP Award in 1993 and being selected to 11 All-Star Games. He led the 1992 United States "Dream Team" — widely considered the greatest sports team ever assembled — to the Olympic gold medal in Barcelona. Despite never winning an NBA championship, Barkley was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006 and named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.
Since retiring, Barkley has become one of the most recognizable sports commentators in America as an analyst on TNT's "Inside the NBA." His willingness to say exactly what he thinks, his sense of humor, and his authentic working-class Alabama roots have made him a beloved and polarizing figure throughout his public life. He famously declared "I am not a role model" in a 1993 Nike commercial — a statement that sparked national debate about athletes' responsibilities. The Charles Barkley Statue in Leeds honors a son of Alabama who became one of the most influential figures in American sports culture.
Nearby Attractions
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
One of the finest museums in the American South, the BCRI documents the Civil Rights Movement with exceptional depth and emotional power. Located across from Kelly Ingram Park — where Civil Rights demonstrators faced fire hoses and police dogs in 1963 — the institute provides essential context for understanding Birmingham's role in the struggle for racial equality and the transformation of American society.
Auburn University (Charles Barkley's College)
Auburn is approximately an hour south of Leeds, where Barkley developed as a college player before his NBA career. The Auburn campus, Jordan-Hare Stadium, and the university's athletic facilities provide the setting for appreciating Barkley's college years. Auburn's sports museum documents the careers of its extraordinary alumni athletes, of whom Barkley is one of the most celebrated.
Rickwood Field (Birmingham)
The nation's oldest professional baseball stadium, opened in 1910, is located in Birmingham's Westfield neighborhood. Home to both white and Black professional baseball teams in segregated Birmingham, Rickwood is where the young Willie Mays launched his professional career with the Birmingham Black Barons. The carefully preserved stadium hosts vintage baseball events and stands as a monument to Birmingham's sports history and its Civil Rights era.