SIR CHARLES Barkley, one the NBA greatest players of all time, may have inadvertently irked Filipino basketball fans when made a comment at TNT’s pregame coverage during the NBA Play-In tournament. 

No stranger to controversy and had always been one to speak his mind, the former Phoenix Suns Forward became the front and center of Filipinos – whose love for basketball is unquestionable – when he delved into the lack of Filipinos in the NBA.

Screenshot from: NBA on TNT 

Barkley joked with TNT reporter Chris Haynes on Wednesday about how many Filipinos had been drafted into the NBA. This came after Haynes revealed that he was a previous MVP in a Filipino basketball league. 

“I was the MVP in a Filipino league that I’m in. I’m not Filipino, but I’m a guest,” shared Haynes, to start the banter. This was followed by the infamous response of Barkley.

“No disrespect. I know I’m going to get in trouble to ask this question. How many Filipinos have been drafted in the NBA?” Barkley asked the reporter.

Chris Haynes: "I was the MVP in the Filipino league that I'm in here… I'm not Filipino, but I'm a guest."

Charles Barkley: "No disrespect. I know I'm gonna get in trouble when I ask this question: how many Filipinos been drafted into the NBA?" 😭pic.twitter.com/W5QaBXiQYl

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 16, 2024

The whole NBA panel on TNT busted out laughing when Barkley asked the question. This infuriated Filipino fans, who took exception at the out-of-the-box comment he posed about the former NBA player’s lack of championships. 

@NBAonTNT better tell chuck there’s been more Filipinos drafted to the league than he has rings

— ᴊᴜꜱᴛ ᴛʜᴇᴏ ㋡ (@djjusttheo) April 17, 2024

I mean if we got the height then there be plenty .. you might be bigger than us but our love for the game is way bigger than you

— GuGu97 (@Chok974) April 17, 2024

I like Chuck before this.
He crossed the line here.

— Ry.Ron (@holmes_rye) April 17, 2024

What comes after “no disrespect” is usually the complete opposite iktr

— Muthia (@Muthia911) April 17, 2024

Chuck asked the right questions. I know that one day, when a true-blooded Pinoy eventually gets drafted and makes it to the NBA, it will be our proudest moment. NBA is already a global sport, but Filipinos are just not at their level yet. But, it's not for lack of trying!

— Emilio Blunt (@Ochosais) April 17, 2024

Despite receiving countless unhappy replies from Filipinos, some defended Chuck, claiming that the former NBA player was simply having fun. 

Some of the renowned athletes that attempted to get drafted include Bobby Ray Parks Jr., who was unable to secure a pick in the NBA Draft in 2015, and Kai Sotto, who went undrafted in 2022. 

Kiefer Ravena attempted to chase his NBA goals as well. During the 2016 summer league, he played with the Texas Legends as a developmental player.

Filipino blood 

Aside from them, three Filipino-American players were selected in the NBA draft. Specifically, Jalen Green in 2021, Jordan Clarkson in 2014, and Raymond Townsend in 1978. 

Filipino fans have long hoped that native players will make it to the NBA. 

The country has yet to have a full-blooded Filipino player enter the league, but these players deserve respect for attempting despite the NBA’s high level of competition.