Man Wielding Knife Is Charged After Harassing Barkley, Williams

Charles Barkley and Philadelphia 76er teammate Jayson Williams were embroiled in a barroom dispute Wednesday in Chicago during which police said the players were threatened by a man wielding a knife.

Williams said he was advised by his attorney not to comment. But he did say: “I wasn’t charged, the (Chicago) man was charged. . . . Charles wasn’t involved.”

There was no comment from Barkley or team officials.

Chicago police Capt. Donald Walsh said Barkley and Williams were harassed by a man identified as Christopher Vincent, who was arrested and charged with aggravated assault. Neither Barkley nor Williams was charged.

Patrolman Tom Karczewski said Vincent was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital and treated for cuts.

According to Walsh, Vincent approached Barkley and Williams in the bar of a downtown hotel after the 76ers lost Tuesday night to the Chicago Bulls. Police reports said Vincent told the players he had a knife. They walked away, but he persisted until Williams felt threatened, picked up a glass beer mug and struck Vincent in the head, police said.