Charles Barkley signs autograph deal with Panini America

"The Round Mound of Rebound" is joining Panini America's team.

Hall of Famer Charles Barkley has signed an exclusive autograph deal with the Dallas-based company and that means he'll have his first certified autos in packs. He'll also sign memorabilia for Panini Authentic -- basketballs, jerseys and prints -- while his first cards will appear in 2017-18 Panini Noir.

“Barkley’s long absence from the trading card category has had fans clamoring and wondering if he would ever be featured on trading cards again,” Panini CEO Mark Warsop said in a prepared statement. ”This is a great day for NBA fans and all collectors as we will now be able to celebrate Charles’ illustrious career on trading cards and memorabilia.”

Barkley has fewer than 15 different auto cards among nearly 1,500 total cards made since his debut out of Auburn in 1984 with his last cards signed in very low volume for Fleer back in 2004-05.

“I’ve been approached probably 20 times in the past 20 years,” Barkley told SI.com. “I’ve always resisted, but everybody is doing it now so I might as well join in. I’m trying to give the fan a little treat. It ain’t like in the old days when you just got some crappy basketball card and that was it. When I was signing these cards, I was saying, ‘Damn, these ain’t my daddy’s trading cards.

“Through the years, I’ve been approached to be a part of trading cards and autographed memorabilia -– but it never felt right. When I met the Panini team, they really understood my vision and highlighted how we could work together,” Barkley told Panini. “It just reinforced to me that Panini was the ideal partner for me. What they have done in the trading card category and how the products have evolved since my playing days is incredible. I’m looking forward to working closely with them on my trading cards and autographed memorabilia.”

The initial wave of Panini Authentic memorabilia includes seven autographed basketballs of varying styles and inscriptions ranging in price from $799.99 to $1,099.99. You can see them all here.

Barkley's presence on the Noir checklist is now known as he'll have a 10-card Barkley's Spotlight Signatures set in that product with each card limited to just 15 copies and his three NBA teams represented.

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According to Panini, Barkley also "will be prominently featured in all of Panini’s 2018-19 NBA  and collegiate trading card products and beyond, showcasing his career with the Auburn Tigers, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Houston Rockets and Team USA."

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