Reviewed by: Caleb Turrentine
What’s behind the naming of Charles Barkley Avenue and Court in Leeds?
Reading time: 3 minutes
Here is something that will bring a smile to your face. Turn into Leeds Middle School, which is where the former high school once stood, you will see a familiar name on a street sign — Charles Barkley Ct.
Fun Fact: Charles Barkley, the town of Leeds most famous hometown hero, has two local streets named after him.
One by the before mentioned Middle School and the other — Charles Barkley Avenue — near Moton Park in Leeds.
In addition to the streets, there is also a statue of the Auburn Basketball All-American and NBA Hall of Famer in front of Leeds High School.
Charles Barkley, Leeds hometown hero
Charles Barkley has not forgotten Leeds. Annually, “Sir Charles” provides scholarships to graduating seniors at Leeds High School.
During the pandemic, he gave each Leeds City School employee $1000. Recently, he donated $1 million to address blight and fix homes in the town of nearly 12,500 people.
Leeds Mayor David Miller, who supported naming the streets after Barkley over the years, told Bham Now what makes him a hometown hero.
“The City of Leeds holds Charles Barkley in high esteem because he represents more than basketball greatness. The City has gained international recognition through his achievements, but his dedication to this community along with his humility and charitable nature are what make him a true local hero. Charles is REAL to the people of Leeds and we see him as a true symbol who embodies the values of Leeds through his dedication and his heart and his hometown pride.
Mayor David Miller, City of Leeds
Advice from Barkley: Make your parents proud
In an interview with 60 Minutes, Barkley succinctly sums up why he supports Leeds and his many charitable causes.
“There’s two things that are important. Number one, you want to make your parents proud. And the second thing is, when you die, you don’t want them saying, I’m glad that SOB is gone… I want them to say, man, I’m going to miss Charles.”
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