Charles Barkley Names His All-Time Greatest Auburn Basketball Player—And It’s Not Who You Think

Charles Barkley has never been shy about sharing his thoughts, especially when it comes to basketball—and even more so when it involves his beloved Auburn Tigers. The Hall of Famer, Olympic gold medalist, NBA legend, and one of the most recognizable personalities in sports media has long been a proud ambassador for Auburn University. Barkley’s legacy on the Plains is unmatched in many ways. He remains one of the school’s most iconic athletes, both for his electric playing style and for the larger-than-life presence he continues to maintain well beyond his playing days.

So when Barkley recently made headlines by revealing who he considers the greatest Auburn basketball player of all time, people listened. And, in true Charles fashion, the answer wasn’t quite what some expected.

Many fans might assume that Barkley, never short on confidence, would name himself. After all, he was the SEC Player of the Year in 1984, a dominant rebounder despite his undersized frame, and the player who helped put Auburn basketball on the national map. He was a first-round NBA draft pick and later an MVP who would go on to be enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. But when posed the question, Barkley gave a different answer—a thoughtful, humble, and passionate one.

Without hesitation, Barkley named Chris Porter as his pick for the top Auburn basketball player of all time.

For younger fans, Porter’s name may not resonate the same way it did in the late 1990s. But to those who remember, Porter was nothing short of a revelation. Transferring from junior college and arriving at Auburn ahead of the 1998–99 season, he instantly became the heartbeat of a team that would enjoy one of the best seasons in program history. His athleticism was jaw-dropping. His energy was infectious. His ability to turn defense into highlight-reel dunks had the entire college basketball world watching Auburn with fresh eyes.

Barkley, who has always appreciated raw talent and hard-nosed effort, sees in Porter the same spirit that defined his own career. Speaking during an interview on a sports podcast, Barkley said, “Chris Porter changed the culture at Auburn. He brought national attention to a program that desperately needed it. His presence, his personality, and the way he played the game—that’s the kind of impact that stays with a school forever.”

Indeed, Porter’s 1998–99 season was legendary. He averaged over 16 points and 7 rebounds per game while leading the Tigers to a 29–4 record and a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament—the highest in school history at the time. The Tigers reached the Sweet Sixteen, and Porter was named SEC Player of the Year. More importantly, he brought a swagger and confidence that Auburn hadn’t seen in years. He electrified fans, packed arenas, and gave the program a visible identity on the national stage.

Barkley’s respect for Porter extends beyond statistics. He often speaks about how Porter made Auburn basketball cool. He gave younger fans a reason to believe in the program’s future and proved that elite players could choose Auburn and still make waves in the national conversation. In a world where traditional blue bloods dominated the headlines, Porter dared to stand out from the crowd—and brought Auburn along with him.

For Barkley, the conversation isn’t solely about who had the most points or longest pro career. His criteria involve legacy, impact, and heart. As someone who has never been shy about critiquing the modern game or pointing out when athletes underperform, Barkley appreciates authenticity. Porter, he says, played with authenticity. Every dunk, every rebound, every celebration felt real—like a guy who was playing with a chip on his shoulder and a love for the game.

Of course, Barkley’s selection didn’t come without some pushback. Fans quickly took to social media, debating who truly deserves the title of Auburn’s greatest. Names like Jabari Smith Jr., who was selected third overall in the 2022 NBA Draft, and Isaac Okoro, a top-5 pick in 2020, were thrown into the mix. Others pointed to the impact of Bryce Brown, Jared Harper, and Chuma Okeke—the trio that led Auburn to its first-ever Final Four appearance in 2019.

But Barkley stands firm in his belief. “What Chris did in that one year, with the attention he brought and the leadership he showed—it was transformative,” he explained. “I love all those guys. What they did in 2019 was incredible. But Chris… Chris was different.”

It’s worth noting that Barkley and Porter share more than just Auburn blood. They both arrived at Auburn with something to prove, both carried massive expectations, and both lived up to them in ways that changed the trajectory of the program. Barkley often reflects on how his time at Auburn shaped him—not just as a player but as a person. He believes Porter had a similar impact on the school itself, reigniting interest in the basketball program at a time when it desperately needed a star.

In hindsight, Barkley’s selection makes more sense than it might at first glance. He isn’t simply naming the player with the longest NBA resume or the most accolades. He’s naming the player who left a lasting mark on the program, who captured the imagination of fans, and who played the game in a way that embodied the Auburn spirit: relentless, fearless, and unapologetically bold.

It also speaks volumes about Barkley’s character. For all his bravado and charisma, this is a man who continues to uplift others, especially those who’ve worn the Auburn jersey. Choosing Porter over himself wasn’t just a compliment to Porter—it was a selfless act that reaffirmed Barkley’s deep love for Auburn and his desire to celebrate its history, not just his own chapter in it.

Porter himself, now living a quieter life out of the spotlight, was humbled when he heard Barkley’s remarks. In a brief interview, he expressed gratitude for the recognition and shared his own admiration for Barkley. “To hear that from Charles—it means everything,” Porter said. “He’s someone I looked up to long before I got to Auburn. For him to even mention my name in that conversation… I’m honored.”

The exchange between these two Auburn legends also reminds fans of what makes sports truly special. Beyond the stats, the wins, and the trophies, it’s the connections and shared pride that stand the test of time. Barkley and Porter may have played in different eras, but their love for Auburn links them forever.

And as the years go on, the debate will surely continue. Auburn has had its fair share of stars, and more are surely on the way. With head coach Bruce Pearl continuing to elevate the program, the Tigers have become a consistent presence in March Madness and a force in the SEC. The list of candidates for “all-time greatest” will only grow.

But Charles Barkley’s choice of Chris Porter reminds us that greatness isn’t always about longevity—it’s about the moment. It’s about how a player makes fans feel, how he shifts a culture, and how he carries the hopes of a school with pride and passion. Porter did all that in just two seasons, one of which changed Auburn basketball forever.

Fifty years from now, new names will emerge, and fresh debates will unfold. But the legacy of Chris Porter, cemented by the ultimate Auburn endorsement from Charles Barkley himself, will always have a place in that conversation. And in a way, that’s what Auburn basketball is all about: tradition, excellence, and honoring those who made the program what it is today.