Charles Barkley is the most high-profile player along with Reggie Miller to not be featured in NBA 2K. However, we now know for sure why Barkley doesn’t show up in any of the 2K games, despite their large roster pool of former NBA Legends.

Barkley first spoke about the matter in 2017, ahead of the launch of NBA 2K18. However, there is a more recent video from just a month ago where Barkley reiterates his stance.

“I’m asked that question a lot. So, they pay those guys to do it and they make 300 million dollars and they pay the guys chump change. And I’m like nah, I’m not doing that. I said this is what I’ll do, because giving me some money doesn’t help anybody. I said give the old retired players a million dollars and I’ll be in the video game. They’re like, well, we’re gonna pay you the same thing we pay others, and I said I’m not like the others.

“They piss me off every year. They call me every year and say ‘hey, have you changed your mind?’ Why in the world would you think I’m gonna change my mind?”

Charles Barkley and NBA 2K

Barkley is probably the best player to not feature in NBA 2K. While there are notable omissions like Reggie Miller and Manu Ginobili, Barkley being absent affects the game differently. First, they have the Inside The NBA panel do in-game halftime shows. Only Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson appear in those segments.

Barkley is one of the most widely modded players to be added to the game unofficially. Even on the console versions, the community creations list always has some sort of an accurate Charles Barkley model. He is also absent from the iconic 1984 Draft Class in the game, which also features Michael Jordan, John Stockton, and Hakeem Olajuwon.

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While Barkley would make the game feel more authentic, he has chosen a great hill to die on. He isn’t asking for anything which benefits him personally, but is looking to set up the retirement fund for NBA players. Surely 2k makes enough on these games to give back to the players. However, they are choosing not to, which is keeping the former MVP Barkley way from the game.