NCAA tournament Cinderella team just offered Charles Barkley originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Only a day after his bold statement about his college basketball eligibility, Hall of Famer Charles Barkley received an offer from one of the most talked about team of the 2026 NCAA tournament.
High Point Panthers stunned the #5 Wisconsin 83-82 on Thursday, proving that their 30-win season was no fluke. In the postgame conference, head coach Flynn Clayman said that they aim to win six games. Barkley responded to the comment during ESPN’s March Madness segment.
“I got one year of college eligibility left, I’m going to get there by next game. That guy makes me want to play,” Barkley said.
HPU ready to sign Charles Barkley
After the former NBA forward’s comment went viral, the HPU Men’s Basketball account extended an offer to Barkley.
“Hey Chuck, you are blessed to receive an offer from High Point University! Due to only playing 3 years at Auburn, we feel positive about your waiver for immediate eligibility. Let’s work! -Coach Clayman,” the caption read.
“Hey Chuck, you are blessed to receive an offer from High Point University!
Due to only playing 3 years at Auburn, we feel positive about your waiver for immediate eligibility. Let’s work!”
-Coach Clayman pic.twitter.com/jY8Q36wXAj
— HPU Men's Basketball (@HPUMBB) March 20, 2026
The graphic featured Barkley in a purple-and-white High Point #34 jersey. The joke, of course, centers on Barkley leaving Auburn early for the NBA Draft in 1984.
The 11-time NBA All-Star is a close friend of HPU President Dr. Nido Qubein and has been a vocal ambassador for the school’s "Premier Life Skills" philosophy for years.
The Hall of Famer’s praise didn't stop at the locker room fire. He pointed out that HPU’s success is about a refusal to be intimidated by Power Conference logos.
“I said earlier, this is going to be a dangerous game for Wisconsin. It was a comfortable matchup, but that team has won 30 games. You win 30 games, you know how to win. You’re probably not intimidated,” Barkley said.
The 1993 NBA MVP went on to give a massive compliment to Flynn Clayman.
“I want to see that coach… you want to play for a coach like that.”
The High Point Panthers are set to go up against the Arkansas Razorbacks on Saturday in the Round of 32 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
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