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Charles Barkley selling MVP trophy, memorabilia to build affordable housing in hometown

Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley said he plans to sell memorabilia from his NBA career to build affordable housing in his hometown of Leeds, Alabama, Sports Illustrated reported.

Barkley, who was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006 after a 16-year professional career, said he will sell his 1993 NBA MVP trophy and memorabilia from the 1992 Dream Team Olympic squad to pay for the homes, USA Today reported.

Barkley announced his plans Friday during a radio interview with WJOX 94.5.

“We’ve probably got 30 eyesores, as I call them, where houses used to be when I was growing up. Either a rotted-up house or there’s just weeds that are overgrown,” Barkley told the Birmingham radio station. “I want to work with the city of Leeds. I want them to give me the spaces, number one. I want them to give me the houses, and I’m going to use my own money selling my memorabilia.”

Barkley said much of his memorabilia has been stored at his grandmother’s home in Alabama, Sports Collectors Daily reported.

Barkley, who has an autograph deal with Panini America, said he told someone at the Dallas-based card and memorabilia company that he wanted to sell his items.

“So I checked with my daughter. All that crap is hers, to be honest with you. She said ‘Dad, if you’re going to build affordable houses in Leeds, I would love for you to do it.’”

Barkley told WJOX his daughter told him she wanted to keep one piece.

“I think she’s going to take the ’92 gold medal because of how sentimental it is to the world," Barkley said. "But all of that other stuff is just an eyesore.”