Charles Shackleford

American basketball player (1966–2017)

Charles Edward Shackleford (April 22, 1966 – January 27, 2017) was an American professional basketball player who played several seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played center and power forward, he was renowned for his rebounding – regularly leading leagues in Europe. He played six seasons in the NBA, mostly as a bench player, intersected by seasons in Europe where he had more success. Off the court he was involved in a number of controversies and legal issues. Shackleford is sometimes remembered for telling a reporter after a NC State basketball game that "I can shoot with my left hand, I can shoot with my right hand, I'm amphibious."

Shackleford played College basketball for North Carolina State in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) of the NCAA Division I from 1985 to 1988. He was suspended in the fall of 1986 because of poor grades, being reinstated for the spring semester after an appeal and a contractual agreement to attend all classes, with the unusual involvement of chancellor Bruce Poulton. Former head of the NC physical education department, Richard Lauffer, described him as a poor student, without "any interest in trying to get an education" and who "should never have been in school." On the court, Shackleford, nicknamed Shack by fans, was described as the Wolfpack's "indispensable man" and an imposing physical presence. He was an All ACC selection in 1988 as he led the conference in rebounding. He declared early for the NBA draft as a junior in May 1988, invoking hardship. While Shackleford admitted to receiving the sum from Kramer and $45,000 from agent Larry Gillman, in violation of NCAA rules, he denied shaving points, with the loan from Kramer supposedly made to pay off Gillman, he declared repaying both loans by 1990. An investigation into the point shaving allegations ended in 1993, without charges being filed, when a New Jersey grand jury found insufficient evidence to support criminal charges.

Shackleford was selected by the New Jersey Nets in the 2nd round (32nd overall pick) of the 1988 NBA draft. He played 130 games for the Nets in two seasons, starting 37. The 1989–90 NBA season was his statistical best in the NBA, with personal highs in minutes (22.2), points (8.2) and rebounds (6.8) per game. He had a career high of 23 points and 26 rebounds in a 20 February 1990 game against the Milwaukee Bucks, his rebound tally tied second most for the Nets in a single game until at least 2005. He then moved to Italy, to play for Phonola Caserta in the Serie A. He contributed 19.7 points and 15.8 rebounds (a league best) as the team won the 1990–91 title, the first in their history. Shackleford returned to the United States to play in the NBA for the Philadelphia 76ers in 1991, signing a three year contract – with two years guaranteed – at a reported annual salary of $1.3 million. Despite this, Shackleford – at the time the most expensive import in Turkish basketball history – was released due to an injury, a cited lack of motivation and unwillingness to work. Moving to Aris Thessaloniki of the Greek Basket League the next season, he helped the team win the European third tier 1997 Korać Cup, with his defensive effort in the second leg of the final described as determinant. He also led the league in rebounding despite suffering from arthritis. He joined the Washington Wizards after having knee surgery, though he was released in less than a week in October 1997. but Shackleford was sentenced to probation. In January 2010, a car belonging to Jayson Williams rearended another car in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Williams identified himself to police as the driver, but Shackleford later admitted he had been behind the wheel. He was charged with driving with a suspended license and hindering/resisting arrest by providing false information. Shackleford was also arrested in Kinston, North Carolina in July of that year, after he sold prescription drugs to an undercover deputy during a sting operation. Since he reportedly had no assets left from his time playing in the NBA, a court appointed attorney was assigned to him.

Shackleford died in his Kinston, North Carolina home on the morning of January 27, 2017 at the age of 50 after suffering from a heart attack.