'I'd rather have a gay guy who can play than a straight guy who can't' - Charles Barkley on gay NBA players

Unlike some of his fellow NBA legends, Charles Barkley stands firmly against the criticism directed at gay men in professional sports. The Hall of Famer believes that an individual's gender identity has nothing to do with their athletic abilities, and it should stay that way.

Barkley, known for his controversial remarks and unfiltered comments, emphasized the importance of skill over personal life choices. In his view, having legitimate talent on the court is far more valuable than simply conforming to traditional norms as far as professional basketball goes.

Furthermore, "The Round Mound of Rebound" has openly expressed that he would much rather see gay athletes who possess genuine basketball skills in the NBA than heterosexual players who lack the necessary talent but wound up playing in the league for other reasons.

"Man, we need to outlaw guys who suck at sports. I really like ESPN," Barkley told The Washington Post in 2011 after former Phoenix Suns executive Rick Welts came out as gay. "They do a great job. But like once every two or three months, they bring all these people on there, and they tell me how me and my team are going to respond to a gay guy."

"First of all, every player has played with gay guys. It bothers me when I hear these reporters and jocks get on TV and say: 'Oh, no guy can come out in a team sport. These guys would go crazy.' First of all, quit telling me what I think. I'd rather have a gay guy who can play than a straight guy who can't play," he pointed out.

Barkley knew he had gay teammates

Charles played three years at Auburn University in college and played for three different teams in his 16-year NBA career. When discussing gay men in pro sports, "Chuck" is certain there were closeted gay players in some NBA teams he became part of. His speculation extends back to his days as a college basketball player, where he also felt that some of his teammates may have been hiding their true sexual orientation.

In the thought-provoking interview, Barkley challenged the common stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding gay athletes in sports. He argued that contrary to what many people might assume, gay athletes are not openly and unapologetically engaging in sexually harassing behaviors or flirting with their teammates in the locker room.

As the Hall of Famer stressed, his perspective on the subject was rooted in personal and first-hand experience, considering his belief that he had shared locker rooms with gay teammates. According to "Sir Charles," he never encountered any uncomfortable situations with the teammates he suspected might be homosexual.

"I didn't [just] think it… They were gay. [But] A guy is never going to put himself in that situation in a professional locker room," Barkley explained. "It never crossed my mind, and I never felt any different about the guy."

"It didn't bother me. Any professional athlete who gets on TV or radio and says he never played with a gay guy is a stone-freakin' idiot," the 11-time NBA All-Star added. "I would even say the same thing in college. Every college player, every pro player in any sport has probably played with a gay person. They're not going to do anything in the locker room. Doesn't work like that."