Share and Follow
On Sunday night, Charles Barkley, the famed NBA icon, took CBS’s March Madness audience by surprise with an impassioned outburst on immigration. This unexpected turn occurred as ‘No Kings’ protests against former President Donald Trump erupted into chaos nationwide over the weekend.
As millions of basketball enthusiasts across the United States tuned in to witness the thrilling face-off between UConn and Duke for a coveted spot in the Final Four, the broadcast took an unexpected detour. During a pause in the game, the 63-year-old Barkley shifted the focus from sports to a broader societal issue, using the moment to discuss immigration in America—a topic that has been fraught with tension and debate.
The discussion began with an analysis of UConn star Alex Karaban, whose roots trace back to immigrant parents from Belarus and Ukraine. Barkley seized this opportunity to voice his concerns. “I want to be very careful with my words right now because this is a touchy subject for me,” he began, setting the stage for his candid commentary.
Expressing his admiration for Karaban and his family, Barkley didn’t shy away from addressing what he sees as injustices within the immigration system. “I love that kid and his family,” he remarked, “but the way some of these other immigrants are getting treated in our country right now is a travesty and a disgrace.”
‘I love that kid and his family, but the way some of these other immigrants are getting treated in our country right now is a travesty and a disgrace.
‘I think there’s a difference between amazing immigrants and criminal immigrants and I think what’s gone on in our country and what we’re doing to some of these amazing immigrants is really unfortunate, and it’s really sad.
NBA legend Charles Barkley stunned March Madness viewers with a rant about immigration
The panel was discussing UConn’s Alex Karaban, whose parents are from Belarus and Ukraine
Barkley issued a plea for Donald Trump to take action after Alex Pretti was killed in Minnesota
‘That’s a great immigrant story and we have a lot of great immigrant stories out there that need to be told. But some of the stuff that is happening to immigrants in our country right now is really unfortunate and unfair.’
‘Immigrants built this country, and we should admire them and respect them,’ he concluded. Â
After Barkley was finished, CBS host Nate Burleson said: ‘Chuck, I love you, bro’.
However, while millions of Americans shared Barkley’s view as they rallied against Immigration and Customs Enforcement policies on Saturday, the NBA legend’s comments sparked fury on social media, with fans wishing he’d stick to matters on the court.
‘Why is this topic talked about during a college basketball show?’ one viewer asked.
Another commented: ‘Keep politics out of sports, Chuck. No one cares about your opinion!’
A third posted: ‘Stop politicizing the @NCAA unless you want to go to decreased ratings town like the @NBA – we can do better than these jokers @MarchMadnessMBB’.
‘What does that have to do with the NCAA tournament?’ another viewer asked.
Barkley’s comments on immigration came one day after millions gathered coast to coast for coordinated demonstrations against the president, driven by anger over his immigration crackdown, rising costs and the ongoing war in Iran.
The rally, which organizers had expected to go down as the ‘largest political protest’ in American history, descended into chaos.Â
Violent demonstrators pelted cops with concrete blocks and stormed federal buildings resulting in multiple arrests.
The demonstrations came as President Trump’s approval ratings have plunged to new lows, with even parts of his own MAGA base expressing growing frustration.
Meanwhile, Barkley admitted after the presidential election in 2024 that he’s ‘an Independent who voted Democratic’.
Join the debate
Should sports figures use their platforms to spotlight political issues like immigration during big games?
Donald Trump’s administration has made deporting illegal immigrants and defending America’s borders its top priorities during his second term in the White House.
Border Patrol and ICE have launched controversial operations to remove illegal immigrants in a number of major cities across the country.Â
Back in January, Barkley issued a desperate plea for Trump to take action after Alex Pretti was ‘executed’ by federal agents in Minneapolis.
Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, was shot and killed after a struggle with federal agents. It came just two weeks after 37-year-old Renee Good was fatally shot in her car as she drove away from a group of officers following a confrontation.
Hours after the shooting, the NBA game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors was postponed. Barkley and the ‘Inside The NBA’ crew, which also features Shaquille O’Neal, Ernie Johnson and Kenny Smith, were due to be covering the game for ABC.
When they returned from a commercial break, host Johnson asked Barkley for his thoughts on the ongoing situation in Minneapolis.
Barkley replied: ‘It’s just sad, man. It’s scary. It’s sad. I don’t know how… It’s going to end bad – it’s already ended badly twice.
‘Somebody has got to step up and be adults. Two people have died for no reason, and it’s just sad.’Â
Barkley has previously said he’d punch black people who show support for Trump by wearing his infamous mug shot on a t-shirt. He also called for Joe Biden to step down from the race for the White House in 2024 after his disastrous debate against Trump.