The number 7 pick of the NBA Draft x Sneaker Files Best Draft Picks of All Time is Charles Barkley. Sir Charles was born February 20, 1963 in Leeds, Alabama. Barkley tried out for the Varsity Basketball squad his Junior year at only 5 feet 10 inches, but he was named as a reserve. During the next summer he sprouted to 6 feet 4 inches and started on his Varsity High School squad.
A assistant coach of Auburn University’s head coach, Sonny Smith went to one of the games Charles Barkley was playing in, and saw “a fat guy… who can play like the wind.” Low and behold, Sir Charles received a scholarship to Auburn, where he played 3 years. Each year he led the league in rebounding.
Charles Barkley left Auburn University, and was ready for the 1984 NBA Draft. He was selected fifth overall by the Philadelphia 76ers. Although he was on a team full of veterans, Sir Charles averaged 14.0 points and 8.6 rebounds per game, and was selected to the All-Rookie Team.
One of the first signature sneakers for Charles Barkley is the Nike Air Alpha Force, but the color-way that sold the most units was the White, Blue, Red, a Philadelphia 76ers theme. Released in 1989, the Nike Air Alpha Force is a mid cut model, which was a change from the high tops mainly released that year (with a few exceptions). Retros have released of the Nike Air Alpha Force, but nothing is like a Original pair.
NBA Draft x Sneaker Files: Best Draft Picks of All Time Number 8 – David Robinson
NBA Draft x Sneaker Files: Best Draft Picks of All Time Number 9 – Shaquille “Shaq” O’Neal
NBA Draft x Sneaker Files: Best Draft Picks of All Time Number 10 – Jason Kidd
