The story of nine-year NBA veteran and current G Leaguer Tony Snell has quickly spread among basketball circles. TNT analyst and Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley is among the many people who have been outspoken in their support of Snell.
Snell, who last played in the 2021-22 season, is looking to sign a standard contract with an NBA team by Friday, Feb. 2. In doing so, Snell would earn a 10th year of NBA service and become eligible for the Players Association’s premium medical plan, which would provide coverage for his entire household, including his two young sons who were both diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
During NBA Tip-Off on Thursday, Feb. 1, Barkley made his plea for an NBA team to sign Snell for the remainder of the season.
"I read an article yesterday — Tony Snell (needing to be signed) by the end of this week because he's got two kids with autism and he needs to play to the end of the year to get a 10-year medical, to help him take care of his two autistic kids," Barkley began.
"The NBA has been great to all of us sitting up here and you guys are going to be playing basketball forever making a bazillion dollars — I hope one of you guys signs Tony so his two autistic kids can get great medical care."
Charles Barkley calls on NBA teams to sign Tony Snell after a viral article from @YahooSports this week detailed the veteran forward's need for medical coverage for his two children with Autism pic.twitter.com/VOgk2RF73o
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 2, 2024
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Barkley closed his statement by speaking on the familial aspect of the NBA, saying "I hope a team signs him for the rest of the season.
"I don't know a lot about autism, but man I know it's got to be expensive to have two young kids with that situation so I'm hoping the NBA — we always talk about what a family we are, let's sign that kid for the rest of the season."
Snell, who is currently a member of the G League's Maine Celtics, learned in recent years that he, too, is on the autism spectrum.
"I always knew I was different from everybody else," Snell said of his diagnosis. "Just observing other kids, just observing everyone around me. How they were interested in each other and they just clicked. I couldn’t find a way to click or relate. Basketball was honestly the only reason I had friends.”
As he seeks a deal with an NBA team, Snell said “I want to come back and play, but I have a bigger purpose now. It’s not about me anymore. It’s about my boys.”
