Much like his NBA days, Charles Oakley played skillful defense on Part 3 of The Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 16 Reunion.

Making a lighthearted reference to his pro basketball moniker, Charles quipped that “sometimes you need an enforcer.” Nonetheless, he emphasized that his primary role was to “support” his wife, Angela Oakley, who he praised for doing “fantastically” in her debut season as a cast member of RHOA.

Charles expressed his frustration with claims made by Shamea Morton and Phaedra Parks about knowing him, yet not being familiar with Angela or even recognizing that he was married. From his perspective, simply being present at the same events as these women didn’t equate to actually having met them or having any sort of relationship.

Angela, meanwhile, accused her castmates of making those comments simply to be “shady.”

RELATED: See How Andy Got Involved With Angela and Phaedra’s Drama: “Really, Andy?”

Despite the season involving discussions about Charles’s marriage and previous infidelities, along with other subjects, he remained puzzled about why their conversations seemed to revolve around him so much.

“Everybody wanna know about me. What about y’all?” he asked the group. “I’m the only husband here. Where your husband’s at?”

Charles Oakley reveals new details about his relationship with Shereé Whitfield

Though Charles never quite saw eye to eye with Shamea or Phaedra on whether or not they had formally met each other prior to filming, the latter tried to jog his memory by mentioning her friendship with RHOA alum Shereé Whitfield.

“I know Shereé very well and I remember when y’all were a couple at one point,” Phaedra told him. “I have been in your presence on numerous occasions.” 

As he shot back, “That don’t mean you know me though.”

RELATED: Andy Questions Charles Oakley About Shereé Whitfield Relationship in Shocking RHOA Reunion Trailer

Later, host Andy Cohen asked for more details on Charles and Shereé’s relationship, and the NBA legend revealed that they dated for a “couple of years” roughly two decades ago.

Charles further shared that he and Shereé were “moving” and had traveled both “around the country,” as well as to Dubai together, during their romance.

Appearing less than thrilled to be on that subject, Angela, for her part, noted that, unlike some of Charles’ other exes, “Shereé let go,” elaborating, “She’s not someone who I think is interested in my husband or vice versa.”

Charles Oakley opens up about his marriage to Angela Oakley

Throughout the RHOA men’s segment, which also featured Porsha Williams’ ex-fiancé Dennis McKinley and Drew Sidora’s estranged husband Ralph Pittman, Charles also gave new insight on his and Angela’s marriage.

Despite Andy pointing out that some viewers perceived him as not caring for her much, Charles denied that was the case and insisted that he has Angela’s back “through thick and thin,” even if that’s not how it came across on the show. (He said he had watched “some” of the episodes, btw.)

“I’m not the guy who just be all over Angela on TV,” he explained. “I don’t try to put on for cameras. And she know I love her, and I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t love her and the kids.”

After once again clearing up rumors about his alleged secret “side baby” (and Wendy Williams’ role in perpetuating them), he and Angela also detailed how therapy helped repair their strained marriage in the aftermath of Charles’ Madison Square Garden incident and ensuing instances of cheating.

Charles credited their “sharp” therapist, Dr. Wendy, as hitting point that made him “open up more” and hold himself “more accountable” in the marriage.

As he concluded, “I’m just glad Angela stayed strong and stayed with me.”

Get even more details on how Angela and Charles navigated their past separation.