NBA great Charles Barkley goes scorched earth on trans athlete

NBA legend Charles Barkley has delivered a scathing rant as he spoke out about the debate surrounding transgender athletes.

Charles Barkley bluntly responded to the “stupid” supporters of transgender athletes as the NBA legend voiced his concerns on the controversial debate, saying he won’t change his mind.

“I’m gonna make this very simple for you, Dan. Men should not play sports against women,” Barkley said on Outkick’s “Don’t @ Me” with Dan Dakich Thursday, the NY Post reports.

“I’m not gonna get into all the bullsh*t that’s going on out here in the world today.”

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The 62-year-old Hall of Famer’s views come as the sports world continues to debate the polarising subject.

“Men should not play sports against women. If anybody thinks that, I think they’re stupid,” Barkley continued. “I support the gay community 100%. I support the transgender community 100%. But I do not, under any circumstances … think that men should play sports against women.”

President Donald Trump signed an executive order in February banning biological males from women’s sports, putting pressure on schools to comply or face the loss of federal funds.

A day later, the NCAA changed its gender eligibility policies banning all biological males from women’s sports.

Lia Thomas dominated in women’s swimming after transitioning. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Blaire Fleming is a trans woman competing with San Jose State’s women’s volleyball team. (Photo by Andrew Wevers/Getty Images)

Barkley said his stance wouldn’t change regardless of the pressure he faced from the public.

“If anybody has a problem with that, they’re gonna have to get over it because I’m not gonna change my (mind). I just think it’s wrong, period,” he added.

“I don’t even think that’s controversial … I don’t wanna hear you try to explain it to me. No, no, no, I don’t wanna hear it. I’m not gonna argue with you. Men shouldn’t play sports against women. I’m done,” he said.

Barkley’s comments came after Dakich asked the analyst about unfounded reports that sports brand giant Nike had funded a study on transgender children in sports.

The rumoured research alleged the athletic wear giant donated money to help transgender physicist Joanna Harper study the effects of hormone therapy and puberty blockers on “trans adolescents.”

The NBA icon won’t be changing his mind on the debate. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images for The Match)

Reports of the study first emerged in a New York Times article highlighting San Jose State’s Blaire Fleming, a trans female competing on the women’s volleyball team.

The story briefly mentioned Harper’s work and stated the research was being funded by Nike.

Barkley said he was unaware of the reports but doubled down, saying children are too young to be exposed to the life-altering drugs.

“I don’t even think anybody knows who they are as a young kid. So I think we have to be very careful because you don’t want to put kids in a disadvantageous situation, because, hey, when you get older, you can make your own decision,” he said.

“I think we have to be very careful screwing around with kids because they’re not fully developed as a person.”

The 11-time All-Star also brushed past the notion of a trend in transgender youth because parents don’t listen to “half the sh*t our kids say.”

This article originally appeared on the NY Post and was reproduced with permission.