Posted: Jan 9, 2003

Charles Barkley, the NBA’s Most Valuable Player in 1993, will become the tenth person to be inducted into the Phoenix Suns’ Ring of Honor during halftime of the Suns-Milwaukee Bucks game on Saturday, March 20 at America West Arena.

The celebration will actually begin on Friday, March 19 when Barkley will attend that night’s Suns-Minnesota Timberwolves game. The ligher, more comical moments of Barkley's career will be highlighted throughout the March 19 game, with Charles sitting courtside to receive the recognition and fan adoration.

“I’m definitely looking forward to the weekend,” Barkley said. “Being inducted into the Suns Ring of Honor is one of the greatest achievements in my life. It will be a tremendous honor for me, but it also gives me the chance to thank all the Suns fans, who I have always felt are the greatest fans in the NBA.”

Many of Barkley’s Suns teammates will be in attendance for the induction, as well as other NBA stars that played during Barkley’s career. As with each of the previous induction ceremonies, fans can expect plenty of memorable moments, both from Barkley and his friends.

“Charles is indeed worthy of the highest honor we can bestow on a former Sun,” said Suns Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jerry Colangelo. “He single-handedly took our franchise to unprecedented heights and placed the Suns on a scale of global visibility.”

Barkley spent four seasons (1992-96) in a Suns uniform, helping the Suns to four consecutive playoff appearances. His first season, 1992-93, was one of the most memorable in the franchise’s 36-year history, as he led Phoenix to a team-record 62 regular-season victories, a Pacific Division and Western Conference Championship, earning MVP honors in the process. The Suns eventually lost to the Chicago Bulls in the 1993 NBA Finals in a six-game series that included a thrilling triple-overtime win in Game 3. The Suns added another Pacific Division title with Barkley in uniform in 1995.

During his Suns career, Barkley averaged 23.4 points and 11.5 rebounds per game in 280 contests. As a tribute to his reputation as a clutch performer, Barkley’s playoff average with the Suns was 26.5 points and 13.4 rebounds per game in 48 postseason affairs. Included in that was a 56-point performance in Game 3 of the 1994 Western Conference First Round playoff series versus Golden State, which stands as the Suns’ single-game playoff scoring record.

Barkley’s name can be found throughout the Suns’ playoff record books, as he is ranked in the top ten in all but one statistical category. He is the franchise’s all-time leader in playoff scoring average (26.5) and rebounds (644). In regular-season annals, Barkley ranks fifth in rebounds (3,232). During Barkley’s four years in Phoenix, the Suns posted a 218-110 record, a .665 winning percentage.

Barkley joins three of his teammates (Kevin Johnson, Dan Majerle and Tom Chambers) and his Head Coach (Paul Westphal) from the 1992-93 Suns, in the Ring of Honor. Other R.O.H. members include Dick Van Arsdale, Connie Hawkins, Alvan Adams, Walter Davis and Joe Proski.

Tickets are currently available for both the March 19 and 20 games, but are expected to sell quickly. Fans can purchase tickets through Ticketmaster.com or by calling 602-379-SUNS.