“Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world,” Bishop Desmond Tutu once said. And if there’s one person who seems to embody that philosophy, it’s Charles Barkley. Known for his larger-than-life personality and off-court generosity, Barkley once had an encounter with Bishop Tutu that left a profound impact on him. It was during his time with the Dream Team, an experience he still remembers vividly decades later.

On The Steam Room podcast, Masai Ujiri shared a special memory that set the stage. He spoke of his first Mandela event, where Barkley, Magic Johnson, and Dikembe Mutombo were present. The NBA stars didn’t just attend—they captivated everyone by sharing heartfelt stories. Ujiri recalled how the audience, so engrossed in their words, barely cared about the game starting. That moment, Ujiri said, was one of the most meaningful events he’d ever witnessed.

Inspired by this, Barkley opened up about his own unforgettable encounter with Bishop Tutu. “One of the most humbling days of my life,” Barkley said. As he and his Dream Team teammates awaited Tutu’s arrival, they were starstruck, thrilled to meet such an icon. But what happened next floored them. Instead of speaking about himself, Tutu showered them with gratitude, thanking them for the joy they brought to people suffering under apartheid. “He said, ‘In our darkest times, watching you guys play gave us hope.’” Barkley confessed that it brought him to the verge of tears.

Reflecting on Tutu’s words, Barkley shared how deeply it moved him. “Here we were, honored to meet him, and instead, he made us feel like the heroes.” The moment left Barkley questioning how something as simple as basketball could impact lives so profoundly.

Though Bishop Tutu passed away in 2021, his spirit lives on in those he touched. For Barkley, the encounter became a compass, inspiring him to follow Tutu’s example both on and off the court.

Charles Barkley’s heart for others shines beyond basketball

It’s hard to talk about Charles Barkley’s empathy without mentioning one of the most touching stories from his life. At the height of his NBA career, Barkley made headlines for flying out to visit a fan battling cancer. Despite his demanding schedule, he prioritized bringing joy to someone who needed it the most. That act wasn’t about fame—it was about genuinely caring for others.

But that’s just one instance. Over the years, Barkley has quietly given back to communities in meaningful ways. In 2022, he pledged $1 million to Atlanta’s Spelman College, a Historically Black College/University (HBCU). His decision wasn’t random. Spelman’s influence on the daughter of Barkley’s close friend and business partner, John Hudson, inspired his generosity. According to Barkley, “John has been a great mentor… and with his daughter doing great things at Spelman, I told him, ‘Why not there?’”

Even his alma mater, Auburn University, hasn’t been left out. Barkley has committed $5 million from his will to fund scholarships specifically for Black students. “That’s just my way of trying to make sure Auburn stays diverse,” he explained in an interview with AL.com. His commitment to diversity and education extends far beyond a single donation—it’s a legacy.

In 2015, Barkley’s efforts earned him a spot among the honorees at Auburn University’s International Quality of Life Awards at the United Nations. Through every act of kindness, Barkley continues to prove that his impact reaches far beyond the basketball court.