Charles Oakley facts for kids
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Oakley in 2007
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 18, 1963 Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. |
| High school | John Hay (Cleveland, Ohio) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
| Listed weight | 245 lb (111 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Virginia Union (1981–1985) |
| NBA Draft | 1985 / Round: 1 / Pick: 9th overall |
| Selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers | |
| Pro career | 1985–2004 |
| Coaching career | 2010–2011 |
| Career history | |
| As player: | |
| 1985–1988 | Chicago Bulls |
| 1988–1998 | New York Knicks |
| 1998–2001 | Toronto Raptors |
| 2001–2002 | Chicago Bulls |
| 2002–2003 | Washington Wizards |
| 2004 | Houston Rockets |
| As coach: | |
| 2010–2011 | Charlotte Bobcats (assistant) |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Career statistics | |
| Points | 12,417 (9.7 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 12,205 (9.5 rpg) |
| Assists | 3,217 (2.5 apg) |
Charles Oakley (born December 18, 1963) is a former professional basketball player from America. He is most famous for playing 10 of his 19 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) with the New York Knicks. As a power forward, he was known as one of the best rebounders and defensive players in the NBA. He also played for the Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, Washington Wizards, and Houston Rockets. Since 2017, he has been a coach for the Killer 3's team in the BIG3 league.
Contents
Early Life and College Basketball
Charles Oakley was born on December 18, 1963, in Cleveland, Ohio. He grew up there and went to John Hay High School, where he was a great basketball player.
College Success at Virginia Union
Oakley attended Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia. This was a Division II university. In his final year (1984–85), Oakley led Virginia Union to win the 1985 NCAA championship. His team had an amazing record of 31 wins and only 1 loss that year. Oakley averaged 24 points and 17.3 rebounds per game. He was named the NCAA Division II Player of the Year. During his college career, he scored 2,379 points and grabbed 1,642 rebounds.
Professional Basketball Career
Playing for the Chicago Bulls (1985–1988)
The Cleveland Cavaliers picked Oakley as the 9th overall player in the 1985 NBA draft. However, his draft rights were soon traded to the Chicago Bulls. Oakley joined a rising Bulls team led by Michael Jordan. He added scoring and strong defense. On March 15, 1986, Oakley scored a career-high 35 points. He was also chosen for the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 1986.
Oakley also became known as the team's "enforcer." His main job was to protect young Michael Jordan from rough play by other teams. People called him "Oak Tree" because he was tough and serious. On April 26, 1987, Oakley scored 25 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in a playoff game.
Time with the New York Knicks (1988–1998)
The Bulls traded Oakley to the New York Knicks in 1988. He became a key player for the Knicks, alongside stars like Patrick Ewing, John Starks, and Anthony Mason.
During the 1994 season, Oakley started every regular season and playoff game. This was a record 107 starts in one season. In the 1994 NBA Finals, Oakley averaged 11 points and 11.9 rebounds per game. The Knicks played a close seven-game series but lost to the Houston Rockets.
Oakley was known throughout the league for his strong defense and amazing rebounding skills while with the Knicks.
Moving to the Toronto Raptors (1998–2001)
In 1998, the Knicks traded Oakley to the Toronto Raptors. He brought valuable experience to a young team that included future stars Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady. On January 7, 2001, Oakley had a career-high 6 blocks. He also nearly achieved a triple-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists in that game.
Return to Chicago (2001–2002)
In 2001, Oakley was traded back to the Chicago Bulls. This was his second time playing for the Bulls. He played 57 games, starting 36 of them.
Playing for the Washington Wizards (2002–2003)
In 2002, Oakley joined the Washington Wizards. Here, he played again with his former teammate Michael Jordan. Oakley played 42 games during the 2002–03 season.
Final Season with the Houston Rockets (2004)
The 2003–04 season was Oakley's last in the NBA. He signed with the Houston Rockets in March 2004. Oakley played only 7 games before retiring from the NBA at the end of the season.
In 2007, when he was 44 years old, there were reports that Oakley wanted to make an NBA comeback. He mentioned that several teams were interested in him.
Coaching and Businesses
On December 26, 2010, Oakley became an assistant coach for the Charlotte Bobcats. He worked under head coach Paul Silas. He left this coaching job on December 1, 2011, due to back pain.
Oakley also owns several businesses:
- Hair Solutions and Nails EtCetera are salons in East Cleveland, Ohio. His sisters help run these businesses.
- Oakley's car wash, oil change, and detail centers are in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn and Yonkers, New York.
- Oakley's Wash House is a car wash and laundromat in East Cleveland, Ohio. His sister Carolyn and mother Corine help manage it.
- Red, The Steakhouse are restaurants in Cleveland, Ohio, and South Beach, Miami, Florida.
Legacy and Recognition
Oakley was honored for his 19-year basketball career by being inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and Museum. The ceremony took place on April 30, 2016.
In September 2016, a part of Deering Street in Cleveland, near his old high school, was renamed Charles Oakley Way. This was done to honor him in his hometown.
He was also inducted into the CIAA Hall of Fame in 2005, recognizing his college career at Virginia Union University.
Career Highlights
- He was among the top ten players in rebounds per game five times between 1987 and 1994. He was second in 1987 and 1988.
- Oakley led the league in total rebounds twice, in 1987 and 1988.
- In 1994, he was chosen as an NBA All-Star and made the league's All-Defense 1st team.
- Oakley ranks 25th all-time in NBA games played, with 1,282 games. He is also 22nd all-time in career rebounds, with 12,205 rebounds.
Personal Life
On July 30, 2016, Charles Oakley married Angela Reed. In 2025, the Oakleys appeared on the television show The Real Housewives of Atlanta.
Images for kids
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Charles Oakley playing for the Chicago Bulls in the 1986–87 season
See also
In Spanish: Charles Oakley para niños
