NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley threw his support behind Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore as the Democratic Party’s best options for the 2028 presidential race, saying they are the only candidates who could earn his vote, The Hill reported.

In an appearance on the “Sports Illustrated Media With Jimmy Traina” podcast last week, Barkley dismissed sports commentator Stephen A. Smith’s talk of a presidential run and offered a blunt assessment of the Democratic Party’s future.

“Stephen A is one of my friends, but I’m like, ‘Yo man, come on man, stop it. Come on,'” Barkley said, reacting to Smith’s claim that he might run if Democrats fail to offer a strong candidate.

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