Charles Barkley almost had these nicknames before ‘Round Mound of Rebound’
Charles Barkley has one of the greatest nicknames in sports history — “The Round Mound of Rebound” — but it turns out there were a few more options before it stuck.
The former Auburn and NBA basketball legend appeared on the popular “All the Smoke” podcast with hosts and fellow former NBA players Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson. They discussed his fractured relationship with Michael Jordan, his upbringing in Alabama and his work as an analyst for Turner Sports in his post-playing career.
More than an hour into the conversation, Jackson asked Sir Charles about his famous nickname, which reflected the Leeds native’s physical prowess on the boards.
Barkley said it all started when Auburn did what it could to attract attention to the basketball program.
“We were trying to drum up support at Auburn because we’re a football school,” he said. “They were going to do a story on me for Sports Illustrated.”
In need of more talent surrounding him, Barkley obliged with whatever they chose. “Whatever helps the program because I need some help,” he recalled saying at the time.
He said they made a list of about 10 different nicknames before “Round Mound” stuck, but here are a few he remembered on the podcast:
‘The Crisco Kid’
Jackson asked why “Crisco,” alluding to Barkley’s shaved head. “It something to do with food,” Barkley said, drawing big laughs. “You don’t know anything about that big-ass white lard.”
‘The Wide Load from Leeds’
This rough draft of a nickname obviously got work-shopped into what it would become. Doesn’t quite have the same ring to it, does it? But we like the local flavor.
‘The Bread Truck’
“They call him the Bread Truck now, though,” Jackson quipped. “All that money you gettin’, he’s the Bread Truck.” In October 2022, Barkley agreed to a 10-year deal with TNT which reported to be worth more than $100 million. He has three years left on his current contract that pays him $10 million per season. That one actually hung around, Barkley said. “I was Bread Truck for a minute.”
‘The Good Time Blimp’
No further explanation offered or needed here. Back to the drawing board.
‘The Round Mound of Rebound’
“I think by the end of my sophomore year, I was leading the league in rebounding again,” Barkley said about why they finally settled on his moniker. “I think that’s when it switched to ‘Round Mound of Rebound.’ They were doing anything to drum up support.”
Barkley played three seasons at Auburn from 1981 to 1984, averaging 14 points per game and nearly 10 rebounds a game during his college career. He was drafted fifth overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1984 NBA Draft. He also played for the Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets before retiring in 2000. He led the Suns to the NBA Finals in 1993 after winning the regular season MVP award. Barkley was an 11-time NBA All-Star and reached All-NBA status 11 times.
Since retiring, Barkley has enjoyed a hugely successful career as an analyst for Turner Sports, appearing on TNT’s “Inside the NBA” alongside host Ernie Johnson and fellow panelists Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith.
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