“How many Filipinos been drafted into the NBA?” - Charles Barkley roasts Chris Haynes for bragging about being the MVP of a Filipino league

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NBA insider Chris Haynes probably knows never to brag about his basketball achievements to Charles Barkley. However, while reporting from Sacramento, he made the mistake of telling the NBA on TNT hosts about winning a Filipino league MVP award.

Barkley gave him a dose of reality, reminding him that the feat may not mean much to three NBA legends (himself, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kenny Smith). The retired superstar is probably hoping, though, that he didn’t offend Filipino fans.

“No disrespect,” Chuck told Haynes. “I know I’mma get in trouble to ask this question, but how many Filipinos been drafted into the NBA? I’m just asking a question, man.”

Answering Barkley’s question

None of them could answer “Sir Charles,” although someone might want to inform him that there are a couple of players in the NBA of Filipino descent.

Perhaps the more notable of them is Jordan Clarkson, who was selected by the Washington Wizards in the second round in 2014 and immediately traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. The former Sixth Man of the Year’s mother hails from the Philippines, and he has already represented the nation in several international competitions.

The other is Jalen Green, the Houston Rockets’ second overall pick in 2021. His mother holds American citizenship but has Filipino blood. While Green has expressed interest in playing for the Philippines’ national basketball squad, he has already played for the United States’ junior national teams.

The past and future of the Philippines’ NBA dream

Interestingly, Clarkson wasn’t the first of a Filipino lineage to be drafted into the NBA. The honor belongs to Raymond Townsend, the first Filipino-American to play in the Association. He was chosen by the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the 1978 draft and spent just three seasons in the league.

The basketball-crazed nation’s dream of seeing a full-blooded Filipino in the NBA has yet to be realized. That nearly came true in 2022 when Kai Sotto, a 7-foot-3 center, declared for the draft. After working out for multiple franchises, he went undrafted. As a result, he took his talents to Australia and Japan while waiting for another shot in the Association.

Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Phil Handy advised the Filipino prodigy, telling Sotto that his development and growth will come at a time when it’s supposed to.