An MVP, an Olympic gold medalist, All-Stars, and long-range assassins — Auburn University has produced more than just college standouts. These five players didn’t just survive in the NBA, they thrived. Whether it was Charles Barkley’s dominance or Chuck Person’s sharpshooting, each of these Auburn Tigers wrote their own chapter in basketball history.
Charles Barkley – The Round Mound of Rebound
Barkley is one of the most well-known Auburn graduates to play in the NBA. He was born on Feb. 20, 1963, in Leeds, Alabama, and was known as “The Round Mound of Rebound” at Auburn for how hard he played, even though he wasn’t big enough to be a typical forward.
Barkley played 16 seasons in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers, the Phoenix Suns, and the Houston Rockets after the former selected him No. 5 overall in the 1984 NBA Draft.
Barkley won both the 1992 and 1996 Olympic gold medals and was named an NBA All-Star 11 times. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame twice — once as an individual in 2006 and again as a member of the “Dream Team” in 2010.
Barkley is now a popular TV analyst known for giving his honest opinion after retiring.
Chuck Person – The Rifleman
Chuck Person entered the NBA Draft in 1986 as Auburn’s all-time leading scorer. He made an immediate impact, winning NBA Rookie of the Year in 1987 after the Indiana Pacers selected him No. 4 overall.
Over 13 seasons, he averaged 14.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists. His sharp shooting earned him the nickname “The Rifleman,” a nod to the old TV show. He also played for the Minnesota Timberwolves, San Antonio Spurs, and Seattle SuperSonics.
Chris Morris
The fourth overall pick by the New Jersey Nets in the 1988 NBA Draft, Chris Morris was known for his speed and versatility on defense.
The Nets often credited Morris for helping them stay competitive in the Eastern Conference, especially during his run with them in the late ’80s and early ’90s, followed by his time with the Utah Jazz.
Morris averaged 11.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game. He wasn’t a star, but he was a reliable reserve who could do a bit of everything.
Mike Mitchell
Mike Mitchell made a name for himself at Auburn as a high-volume scorer. The Cleveland Cavaliers then selected him 15th overall in 1978, and he went on to become a consistent scoring option for the Spurs.
Mitchell played 11 seasons in the NBA, averaging 19.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, and in 1981, he was named an All-Star. After his NBA days, Mitchell continued playing overseas, particularly in Italy, where he kept up his scoring reputation.
Mitchell’s smooth midrange game and steady production made him stand out.
Wesley Person
The Alabama native followed his older brother Chuck to both Auburn and the NBA. And in 1994, his elite 3-point shooting helped him make a name for himself after the Suns picked him 23rd overall.
Wesley Person averaged 11.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game over 11 seasons, playing for teams like the Suns, Cavaliers, Memphis Grizzlies, and the Miami Heat. Person earned All-Rookie Second Team honors with the Suns thanks to his hot shooting and early impact.
During his career, Person was often among the league’s top 3-point shooters but could also hit from deeper range. Teams valued him for his smooth stroke and consistent scoring.
