Former NBA great Charles Barkley has pledged $1 million to Tuskegee University, the historically Black institution announced this week.
The Leeds, Alabama, native has selected to support Tuskegee through Capital One’s “The Match: Champions for Change,” a golf competition among legendary athletes that seeks to raise awareness about historically Black colleges and universities, the university said in a statement. The event will air Nov. 27 at 3 p.m. ET on TNT, with exclusive content available on Bleacher Report.
“We are excited to learn that Mr. Barkley made it a priority to support Tuskegee University,” said Charlotte Morris, the school’s interim president. “His philanthropy will play a crucial role in advancing the university’s strategic goals.”
The Hall of Famer’s pledge marks his fifth major donation to an HBCU. Earlier this year, Barkley pledged $1 million to Miles College, and in 2017, he pledged $1 million to Morehouse College in Atlanta. In 2016, he pledged $1 million each to Alabama A&M in Huntsville and Clark Atlanta University.
Barkley, 57, a graduate of Auburn University, was an 11-time All-Star and won NBA MVP in 1993 during his playing career. He was named as one of the league’s 50 greatest players ever and is a two-time Olympic gold medalist.
