Charles Shackleford was a member of the NBA family for about a decade with a few teams. He was drafted by the New Jersey Nets in 1988, played two seasons there before joining the Philadelphia 76ers for two seasons alongside Charles Barkley. He then went on to play 21 games with the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 1994-95 season. Shackleford left the league for three seasons to play overseas but he returned in 1998 to end his career with a short 32 game stint, playing for his hometown Charlotte Hornets.
But Shackleford might be best known for his stint as a member of the NC State basketball team from 1985-88. In the book Personal Fouls by Peter Golenbock, it was suggested that Shackleford and his Wolfpack teammates were shaving points during the 1987-88 season. No charges were ever filed. In the book, Shackleford was also accused of intentionally losing a NCAA Tournament game to avoid a drug test.
In 2010 Shackleford was arrested on drug charges after an undercover officer said Shackleford sold him drugs, according to WNCT. His cause of death is unknown at this time.
Here’s some more information about Shackleford’s passing, according to WNCT in North Carolina.
The Kinston Police Department has confirmed former NC State star and Kinston native Charles Shackleford has been found dead.
Kinston police said Shackleford was found deceased at 2106 Rouse Road in Kinston Friday morning.
Officers said the cause of death has not been determined, and the incident is still under investigation.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Shackleford’s family and friends.
Oddly enough, just the other day Shackleford’s name came up during Inside the NBA. But it was after Charles Barkley ripped some former teammates for a lack of effort and Shaquille O’Neal slipped his name right before they went to commercial break.
