Nov. 16, 2017
AUBURN, Ala. - Auburn Athletics will honor Hall of Fame basketball player Charles Barkley on Iron Bowl weekend with a Charles Barkley Appreciation night at the men's basketball game vs. Winthrop on Friday, Nov. 24, followed by a statue unveiling ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 25.
The Charles Barkley Statue Unveiling Ceremony will take place on Saturday, Nov. 25 at 11 a.m. in front of the Scholarship Entrance of Auburn Arena. The ceremony is free and open to the public. Barkley will also take part in Tiger Walk, beginning at 12:30 p.m.
Barkley, from Leeds, Ala., will become the fourth former Auburn athlete to have a statue erected in his honor, joining former Heisman Trophy winners Bo Jackson, Pat Sullivan and Cam Newton. Auburn retired Barkley's jersey in 2001.
He will also be present as Auburn basketball hosts the Winthrop Eagles at 6 p.m. at Auburn Arena on Friday, Nov. 24. The first 1000 students in attendance will receive Charles Barkley No. 34 rally towels. All fans will also have the opportunity to receive a commemorative Charles Barkley poster.
Throughout the game, Auburn will pay tribute to Barkley's Hall of Fame career, which included 16 years in the National Basketball Association.
Barkley played at Auburn from 1981-84 and won All-American honors on his way to becoming an Olympic gold medal winner and being named one of the NBA's 50 greatest players in the league's 50th anniversary season. A first-round draft pick by the Philadelphia 76ers, Barkley was the 1993 league MVP, and an 11-time All-Star.
He is one four NBA players who had 20,000 points, 10,000 rebounds and 4,000 assists. The others are Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain and Karl Malone.
The final version of statue will not be completed until spring, therefore the ceremony will feature a full-size replica until the final 2,500 pound fixture can be installed.