The NBA on TNT is undefeated and fans expect nothing less with Charles Barkley on set.Â
During the network’s coverage of the Play-In, Chris Haynes mentioned he was an MVP of the local Sacramento area Filipino basketball league, but Barkley put a stop to it.
Chris Haynes: What’s my average? Oh, I’m the MVP of the Filipino league that I’m in here, and I said in my podcast… I’m not Filipino, but I’m a guest.
Charles Barkley: No disrespect. I know Imma get in trouble for asking this question, but how many Filipinos been drafted into the NBA?
*everyone laughs*
Charles Barkley: I’m just asking a question.
Charles Barkley and Chris Haynes’ banter
To Barkley’s point, no full-blooded Filipino has been drafted to the NBA yet, so it’s not something the reporter should be proud of.
That said, NBA teams drafted three half-Filipinos since the 1970s. These are Raymond Townsend, Jordan Clarkson, and Jalen Green.
Townsend has a Filipino mom and played for John Wooden’s UCLA in college. He was a member of the Bruins 1975 title team, the tenth and last championship Wooden won.
Clarkson and Green are currently playing for the Utah Jazz and Houston Rockets, respectively. The 2021 Sixth Man of the Year plays for the Philippine National Team during international competitions.
The 1993 NBA MVP couldn’t have put it better, though. He lowkey dissed Haynes’ basketball resume while keeping it light and funny. Barkley knew how popular basketball is in the Philippines, but still made his point.
While there are still no full-blooded Filipinos who play in the NBA, there is always a first time for everything. The seven-foot-three slot man Kai Sotto declared for the 2022 NBA Draft, and worked out for multiple teams, but went unselected.Â
The 21-year-old is currently playing in Japan, averaging 13 points and six rebounds for Yokohama.
