In a historic and hotly debated competition, Auburn Tigers legend Charles Barkley has officially been named the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) in college men’s basketball, topping an elite field that included Austin Carr of Notre Dame, Kenny Walker of Kentucky, and Jerry Lucas of Ohio State.
The announcement came late Friday night following the conclusion of ESPN’s fan-driven and analyst-supported College Basketball GOAT Bracket, which saw tens of thousands of fans vote across multiple rounds. Barkley emerged as the winner in a stunning finish that captivated the basketball community.
Though known widely for his Hall of Fame NBA career and larger-than-life personality as a broadcaster, Barkley’s college career at Auburn from 1981–1984 left a powerful legacy that now receives long-overdue recognition.
“It’s an incredible honor,” Barkley said in a live ESPN appearance. “I loved my time at Auburn. We didn’t win a national title, but I gave it everything I had. To be mentioned with guys like Jerry Lucas, Kenny Walker, and Austin Carr—wow. This means the world to me.”
Barkley, affectionately known as the “Round Mound of Rebound,” was known for his explosive athleticism, power, and versatility, despite being undersized for a frontcourt player. At Auburn, he was a dominant force in the SEC, averaging 14.8 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game across three seasons, and he earned SEC Player of the Year honors in 1984.
The final round featured Barkley against three other all-time greats:
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Austin Carr – Notre Dame’s scoring machine who still holds the NCAA Tournament record for most points in a single game (61)
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Kenny “Sky” Walker – Kentucky’s dynamic forward and a former NCAA Slam Dunk champion
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Jerry Lucas – Ohio State’s dominant big man who led the Buckeyes to a national title in 1960
Despite the stiff competition, Barkley’s popularity, impact, and charisma ultimately pushed him over the top.
The result has sparked spirited debate across the basketball world, with many fans praising Barkley’s influence, while others argue that other finalists had more decorated college résumés. Still, Barkley’s unique blend of talent, entertainment value, and legacy proved too strong to ignore.
“You can argue stats all day,” said ESPN analyst Jay Williams. “But no one left a bigger impression on college basketball without winning a title than Charles Barkley. He changed the game for undersized big men.”
Auburn fans erupted in celebration, with the university posting a tribute video shortly after the announcement. The hashtag #BarkleyGOAT quickly began trending on social media.
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