Charles Barkley told a hilarious story about Jack Eichel snubbing him: 'I think he had zero idea who I was'

It’s been decades since Charles Barkley last played a professional basketball game, but he’s still become a larger-than-life personality thanks to his various studio gigs. In fact, with his colorful personality, it probably wouldn’t be a stretch to say the retired Barkley is one of the more recognizable faces in major American sports.

But just don’t tell that to Jack Eichel.

As Eichel’s Las Vegas Golden Knights worked to take a 3-1 lead in this year’s Stanley Cup Final, Sportsnet’s Kyle Bukauskas interviewed Barkley in the box he was sitting in. Before taking a final question, Barkley relayed an amusing story about how Eichel apparently saw Barkley in Las Vegas’ team hotel and seemingly thought nothing of meeting the basketball legend.

As a credit to Barkley, he kept his cool and managed to turn the event into something funny:

Charles Barkley got humbled by… Jack Eichel? pic.twitter.com/PuMdISlS84

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 11, 2023

Though I can’t confirm for sure, I find it rather unlikely Eichel doesn’t know who Barkley is. The young man grew up in Massachusetts and likely eventually had some kind of exposure to Barkley’s personality. Regardless of the reason, it’s hysterical that Eichel didn’t readily exchange friendly pleasantries with the basketball icon.