Charles Barkley passed, barely.

During TNT’s coverage of the NBA on Wednesday, Shaquille O’Neal challenged the former Auburn star to spell “spectacular.” And he bet $10,000.

Hilarity ensued.

It appears that Barkley’s first attempt – he needed to write it down – was off the mark. Kenny Smith took a peek at what Barkley had written down before the analyst came up with the write combination of letters to complete the task.

“Let me look at that camera right now,” Barkley said after passing the pop quiz. “I haven’t had that much to brag on this year, but let me go ahead and say it: War Damn Eagle.

“That Auburn education pulled me through, America.”

Mark Heim is a sports reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim.