Charles Oakley

American former professional basketball player known for his physical play, rebounding ability, and role as enforcer during 1980s-2000s NBA career

Charles Oakley was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1963. Cleveland Cavaliers selected him ninth overall in the 1985 NBA Draft. His 19-season career produced 9.6 points and 9.5 rebounds per game and one All-Star appearance. He was traded to the New York Knicks in 1988 in the deal that brought Charles Barkley consideration — the Knicks gave up Bill Cartwright to get him. His role was explicitly as an enforcer, rebounder and physical presence rather than scorer. He won the rebounding title in 1987. His most celebrated relationship in basketball was with Michael Jordan — the two were close friends from Oakley's time in Chicago, and Jordan repeatedly credited Oakley with protecting him from physical abuse during the Bulls' early years. In New York he was the centre of every physical confrontation, protecting Patrick Ewing and setting the tone for the physically intimidating Knicks teams of the early 1990s. His ejections, technical fouls and confrontations with opposing players defined an era of basketball physicality that has since been regulated out of the game. He remains one of the most beloved figures in Knicks history despite never winning a championship.

Physical power forward, elite rebounder, intimidating defender

One of the most feared enforcers in NBA history

• All-Star 1x
• NBA rebounding title