PHOENIX — Former Phoenix Suns star and NBA analyst Charles Barkley said Monday he tested negative for coronavirus after he was feeling ill.
"I've received my COVID-19 test results this morning and they are negative," he said in a statement from Turner Sports. "I'd like to thank everyone for reaching out and expressing your concern and support. You all be safe and please take the necessary actions to help ensure your well-being."
Barkley said on March 12 he was self-isolating after feeling ill and he called into his show, NBA on TNT, and said he was being tested for COVID-19.
On the same morning, Barkley was on ESPN's "Get Up" and he called for the NCAA Tournament to be canceled.
Barkley works for Turner Sports, which has TV rights to the tournament.
"I'm probably gonna get in trouble...but I think Turner Sports and CBS got to close down March Madness," Barkley said.
"Even if there's no fans, you can't have these players breathing on each other for two weeks, they're going to be in different cities around the country."
The NCAA ended up making the decision to cancel the NCAA Tournament and all winter/spring sports that same day, March 12.
Multiple NBA players have tested positive for coronavirus including Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz first, then Christian Wood of the Detroit Pistons, Kevin Durant of the Brooklyn Nets and more.
The NBA suspended it's season on March 11 and other professional sports leagues around the country followed suit.