Charles Barkley's pitch to recruits? 'You've just got to come to Auburn'
OPELIKA — Former Auburn basketball star Charles Barkley was recently back on the Plains to take in Auburn football's game against Georgia on Saturday.
Barkley, who spent three seasons with the Tigers before enjoying a 16-year NBA career, was one of many Auburn greats who made their way back to Lee County for the matchup with the nation's top-ranked team. Frank Thomas, Suni Lee, Takeo Spikes and Cam Newton were also among those in attendance.
Newton and Barkley even took a photo with five-star receiver Perry Thompson, who is committed to the Tigers. Thompson was one piece of a massive group of prospects taking either official or unofficial visits to Auburn.
It was a big recruiting weekend for basketball, too, as coach Bruce Pearl had plenty of elite talent visiting, including four-star commit Tahaad Pettiford and five-star forward Jalen Haralson.
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Barkley was asked Monday at the Bruce, Barkley and Basketball Golf Classic about recruiting, and how he would pitch recruits who are considering the Tigers.
"That's a good question," Barkley said. "I think you've just got to come to Auburn. I tell people: Everybody likes their college. I think everybody likes their college, but Auburn is a very, very special place. I was with Takeo Spikes and Frank Thomas. Every time we come down here it's like going back to a family reunion.
"Once you go to Auburn, it's just such an awesome, special place. There are a lot of good schools, but I think Auburn is just a special place. I got here in 1981, which was 100 years ago. And every time I come down here it's always special."
Richard Silva is the Auburn athletics beat writer for the Montgomery Advertiser. He can be reached via email at rsilva@gannett.com or on Twitter @rich_silva18.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Auburn recruiting: How Charles Barkley would pitch Tigers to recruits
