Former NBA star turned analyst Charles Barkley weighed on NBA player Jason Collins and said in a radio interview Tuesday that he has played with gay players before.

Barkley told Dan Patrick on "The Dan Patrick Show," that during his 16 years in the NBA he met gay teammates who hadn't come out publicly.

"Of course I did. Everybody did," Barkley told Dan Patrick. "Everybody played with a gay teammate, Dan. And it' s no big deal."

"I had several [gay] teammates, I probably had three guys I played with in my 16 years," he added.

"Think about Jason Collins. He played on six teams, so six teams played with a gay guy. And so, everybody has played with a gay guy, you just didn't know he was a gay guy. 'Cause until a gay guy comes out, it's none of your business."

Colling became the first active player in the NBA to openly admit he is gay in an issue of Sports Illustrated.

Since Collins came out as gay, he has been a presence in the media. He gave his first interview after his announcement to Good Morning America on April 30. The Washington Wizards center spoke of being relieved that the truth was now out and said he felt the happiest that he had ever been in his life.

"A huge weight has been lifted," Collins said. "I've already been out to my family and my friends, but just to, you know, sort of rip the Band-Aid off and come out on my own terms."

On May 5, Collins sat down for an interview with Oprah Winfrey for her Next Chapter television segment. He admitted that he was nervous about being recognized as the first gay player in the NBA. It was a decision that he struggled with.

"Yes, I'm making a big declaration, but also trying to remain as private in my private life as possible," he said. "I think you more than most can attest to, 'Yes, you're a public figure, but we have private lives."

Watch the Interview with Charles Barkley on "The Dan Patrick Show" below:

Tags
Jason Collins