Charles Barkley’s “guarantee button” has become something of a running joke. Every time he presses it, fans expect the opposite outcome to happen. And it’s no surprise—Chuck’s luck has been what you don’t expect it to be, especially last season. Still, despite the button’s cursed reputation, a 5-star recruit recently disregarded all the hype surrounding it and boldly moved forward with his big announcement, undeterred by Barkley’s ongoing struggles.

On Friday, Caleb Wilson, a five-star forward from Holy Innocents Episcopal High School in Atlanta, made his college choice known on Inside the NBA. The 6-foot-9 standout, ranked as the No. 6 overall prospect in the Class of 2025, revealed he would be joining the North Carolina Tar Heels.

His decision to commit to UNC came after careful consideration, having turned down offers from big-name schools like Kentucky, Ohio State, and Tennessee.

Wilson is averaging 18.1 points, 11.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 4 blocks per game. What’s most impressive is his ability to defend across multiple positions thanks to his 7-foot-4 wingspan and 9-foot standing reach. While not a primary scorer, Wilson excels in a secondary role and his versatility is turning heads.

But the most eye-catching part came after the announcement. After announcing his decision, Kenny Smith handed Wilson the infamous “guarantee button”. Charles Barkley, ever the dramatic presence, belted out, “GUUARRANTEEE IT!” And without any second thought, Wilson pressed the button, sending the studio into celebration. The UNC mascot also appeared and make the moment more special for the young prodigy.

Despite the backlash surrounding Barkley’s button, Wilson didn’t hesitate. Maybe it’s a sign that this young star is ready to defy the odds—and Charles Barkley’s curse. However, others don’t feel the same way.

Chuck’s curse meets Biz Nasty’s revenge

To say Charles Barkley’s predictions have been off would be putting it lightly. With a painful 3-27 record last season, Chuck’s infamous “guarantee curse” has practically become an inside joke. Desperate to shake it off, he tried to make up for it with bold picks. But as luck—or rather the curse—would have it, things didn’t go his way.

Back in April 2024, Barkley made the jump to NHL on TNT, confidently predicting the Boston Bruins to prevail in Game 4 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. What happened instead? The Maple Leafs found themselves drowning in Chuck’s bad luck, slipping to 1-3 after the game. NHL co-host Paul Bissonnette, or “Biz Nasty,” saw the perfect opportunity for sweet revenge.

It all began with Barkley’s bold claim on live TV. “We gonna win tonight, Shaq,” Chuck declared. That confidence backfired spectacularly when the crew, egging him on to hit the guarantee button, revealed their big setup. A rain of soft pucks fell mercilessly on him, leaving him yelping in pain. Even Shaq couldn’t help but laugh: “That look like it hurt Chuck.” The chaos left viewers—and the studio—rolling.

Turns out, Biz Nasty wasn’t leaving anything to chance. After his shift, he snuck up to the rafters of Studio J to rig the puck system, all while flaunting his antics online. From playing Chuck’s butler to setting up this not-so-friendly prank, Bissonnette ensured Barkley’s guarantee curse had the last laugh.