Charles Barkley comes to Denver on Tuesday, Jan. 14 as the second of five remarkable figures in the KeyBank Denver Distinguished Lecture Series, a benefit for Junior Achievement.

Barkley was in the NBA for 16 unforgettable seasons and was named one of the NBA's 50 Greatest Players of All Time. He recently published a new book, “I May Be Wrong, But I Doubt It,” and is known for speaking his mind on any topic, whether it is politics, athletes as role models, or the lack of minority control in sports.

Prior to his evening talk at the Auditorium Theater in downtown Denver, Barkley will travel to Manual Leadership High School for a student forum from 1:55 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.

Manual High School is located at 1700 E. 28th Ave.

Barkley will discuss leadership, success, goals, and education with 350 students and he will participate in a question-and-answer session.

(Media members requesting one-on-one interviews with Barkley immediately following the forum should contact Heather Hope, Junior Achievement Public Relations Manager at 303-628-7371 or 303-875-2079. Barkley will be available from 2:45 to 3:10 for media interviews.)

Now in its sixth season, the KeyBank Denver Distinguished Lecture Series brings internationally renowned speakers to the Denver stage. Individual tickets range from $25 - $55, and student tickets are $15.

The KeyBank Denver Distinguished Lecture Series is sponsored by the Rocky Mountain News and Denver's WB2. This year's Silver Series Sponsor is EDS and Patron Sponsors are Margot and Allan Frank, Neal and Olivia Hansen and 850 KOA Radio.

Event proceeds support Junior Achievement, a non-profit organization that educates and inspires young people to value free enterprise, business and economics. With programs that span from kindergarten to the twelfth grade, Junior Achievement will reach 75,000 students during the 2002-03 school year.