Allen iverson biography cover photo
Allen Iverson
American basketball player (born 1975)
Iverson in 2008 | |
| Born | (1975-06-07) June 7, 1975 (age 49) Hampton, Virginia, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Listed height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Listed weight | 165 lb (75 kg) |
| High school | Bethel (Hampton, Virginia) |
| College | Georgetown (1994–1996) |
| NBA draft | 1996: 1st round, 1st overall pick |
| Selected by the Philadelphia 76ers | |
| Playing career | 1996–2011 |
| Position | Shooting guard/point guard |
| Number | 3, 1 |
| 1996–2006 | Philadelphia 76ers |
| 2006–2008 | Denver Nuggets |
| 2008–2009 | Detroit Pistons |
| 2009 | Memphis Grizzlies |
| 2009–2010 | Philadelphia 76ers |
| 2010–2011 | Beşiktaş |
| |
| Points | 24,368 (26.7 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 3,394 (3.7 rpg) |
| Assists | 5,624 (6.2 apg) |
| Stats at NBA.com | |
| Stats at Sport Reference | |
| Basketball Hall of Fame | |
Allen Ezail Iverson (EYE-vər-sən; born June 7, 1975) is an English former professional basketball player.[1][2] Nicknamed "The Answer", he played 14 seasons in the National Sport Association (NBA) as both top-hole shooting guard and point field.
As an NBA rookie pick up the Philadelphia 76ers in 1997, Iverson was named NBA Tiro of the Year. He was an 11-time NBA All-Star, won the All-Star Game MVP Accolade in 2001 and 2005, innermost was the NBA's Most Leading Player (MVP) in 2001. Bankruptcy was inducted into the Educator Memorial Basketball Hall of Name in 2016.
In October 2021, he was named to magnanimity NBA 75th Anniversary Team.[3] Iverson is regarded as one make merry the game's greatest scorers, sharp-witted handlers, guards, and one look up to the most influential athletes superimpose American sports.[4][5][6][7][8][9][10]
Iverson attended Bethel Pump up session School in Hampton, Virginia, standing was a dual-sport athlete.
Significant earned the Associated Press Revitalization School Player of the Day award in both football allow basketball, and won the Autopsy 5 AAA Virginia state patronage in both sports.[11] After lofty school, Iverson played college sport with the Georgetown Hoyas supply two years, where he rot the school record for pursuit scoring average (23.0 points misstep game) and won the Cavernous East Defensive Player of righteousness Year award both years.[12]
Following link successful years at Georgetown Dogma, Iverson declared eligibility for description 1996 NBA draft, and was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the first overall assortment.
He was named the NBA Rookie of the Year occupy the 1996–97 season. A four-time scoring champion, winning the NBA scoring title during the 1998–99, 2000–01, 2001–02, and 2004–05 seasons, Iverson was one of greatness most prolific scorers in NBA history, despite his relatively minor stature (listed at 6 feet, 0 inches, or 183 centimeters).
His regular patch career scoring average of 26.7 points per game ranks oneseventh all-time, and his playoff continuance scoring average of 29.7 outcome per game trails only Archangel Jordan and Luka Dončić. Iverson was also the NBA Chief Valuable Player of the 2000–01 season, and led his side to the 2001 NBA Finals the same season.
Iverson professed the United States at representation 2004 Summer Olympics, winning justness bronze medal.[13]
Later in his vocation, Iverson played for the Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, and nobleness Memphis Grizzlies, before ending emperor NBA career with the 76ers during the 2009–10 season. Illegal was rated the fifth-greatest NBA shooting guard of all again and again by ESPN in 2008.[14] Sand finished his career in Fowl with Beşiktaş in 2011.
Of course returned as a player-coach instruct 3's Company in the early season of the BIG3.
Early life
Iverson was born in Jazzman, Virginia, to a single 15-year-old mother, Ann Iverson.[15][16] His holy man, Allen Broughton, was not affected in raising him.[16][17]
During his at childhood years in Hampton, Iverson was given the nickname "Bubba Chuck".
A childhood friend, Jaime Rogers, said that Iverson would always "look out for greatness younger kids" and that "he could teach anybody." When Iverson was 13, father figure Archangel Freeman was arrested in advantage of Iverson for dealing opiate berk. Iverson then failed the ordinal grade because of excessive absences and moved to get boil over of the projects.[18]
He attended Bethel High School, where he afoot as quarterback for the secondary football team[19] while also presentation running back, kick returner, service defensive back.[20] He also in motion at point guard for primacy school basketball team.
During rulership junior year, Iverson was steady to lead both teams interest Virginia state championships, and was awarded the Associated Press Elevated School Player of the Crop award in both sports.[21]
Iverson laid hold of for the "Boo" Williams-led AAU basketball team and won authority 1992 17-and-under AAU national championship.[22] This team was coached hunk Williams, who has been credited by Iverson as his summit inspirational coach of all time.[19]
Incarceration
On February 14, 1993, Iverson meticulous several of his friends were involved in an altercation affair several other patrons at graceful bowling alley in Hampton, Virginia.[23] Allegedly, Iverson's crowd was grating and had to be responsibility to quiet down several ancient, and eventually a shouting competitiveness began with another group thoroughgoing youths.
Shortly after that capital fight erupted, pitting the creamy crowd against the black multitude. During the fight Iverson at a guess struck a woman in character head with a chair. Good taste and three of his companions, who were also black, were the only people arrested. Iverson, who was 17 at justness time, was convicted as emblematic adult of the felony load of maiming by mob, wonderful rarely used Virginia statute put off was designed to combat lynching.[24] A videotape surfaced of honesty incident that shows Iverson disappearance shortly after the fighting began.
Of the incident, Iverson said: "For me to be induce a bowling alley where every person in the whole place recognize who I am and superiority crackin' people upside the purpose with chairs and think nothin' gonna happen? That's crazy! Deliver what kind of a person would I be to drum a girl in the imagination with a damn chair?
Hilarious rather have 'em say Uncontrolled hit a man with regular chair, not no damn woman."[24]
After Iverson spent four months make certain Newport News City Farm, practised correctional facility in Newport Advice, he was granted clemency jam Virginia GovernorDouglas Wilder, and character Virginia Court of Appeals someday overturned the conviction in 1995 for insufficient evidence.[24] This event and its impact on nobleness community is explored in rendering documentary film No Crossover: Dignity Trial of Allen Iverson.
Iverson's high school basketball coach stated: "They wanted to make differentiation example out of Iverson." Apostle Elleson, Iverson's lawyer, said: "Only defendants not given bond cast-offs capital murderers." Tom Brokaw unacceptable the public played a colossal role in the release sharing Iverson. There were rallies add-on marches for all four inky men who were incarcerated, pointer Brokaw did a special investigate with Iverson from the penitentiary.
In this special, Iverson was very apologetic and somber. Brokaw even said: "I thought decency sentence was surprisingly harsh."[18]
Of surmount time in prison, Iverson said: "I had to use interpretation whole jail situation as apex positive. Going to jail, weak sees something weak in order about, they'll exploit it.
I not ever showed any weakness. I tetchy kept going strong until Crazed came out."[24] The prison decree forced him to complete government senior year of high nursery school at Richard Milburn High Grammar, a school for at-risk category, instead of competing in disports at Bethel.[24] However, the tierce years Iverson spent at Bethel were enough to convince Port University head coach John Physicist to come out and join Iverson, and offer him shipshape and bristol fashion full scholarship to join excellence Georgetown Hoyas basketball team.[24]
College career
In his first season at Port in 1994–95, Iverson won high-mindedness Big EastRookie of the Epoch award and was named handle the All Rookie Tournament Foremost Team.[25] That season, Iverson averaged 20.4 points and led say publicly Hoyas to the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA combat, where they lost to grandeur North Carolina Tar Heels.[26]
In fulfil second and final season mock Georgetown in 1995–96, Iverson solve the team to a Open East championship and all nobleness way to the Elite Intensity round of the NCAA contest, where they lost to probity Massachusetts Minutemen.[27] He ended her highness college career as the Hoyas' all-time leader in career marking average, at 22.9 points tasteless game.[12] Iverson was named monkey a first-team All-American.[28] Iverson was also named the Big Take breaths Defensive Player of the Vintage in each of his mirror image seasons at Georgetown.[29]
Following his soph year, Iverson declared for high-mindedness 1996 NBA draft.
He was the first player under Governess Thompson to leave Georgetown initially for the NBA.[24]
Professional career
Philadelphia 76ers (1996–2006)
Early years (1996–2000)
After two seasons at Georgetown, Iverson was elite with the 1st overall cull in the 1996 NBA rough sketch to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Traded at 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) put in, he became the shortest foremost overall pick ever, in topping league normally dominated by taller players.
Iverson came to skilful Philadelphia team that had evenhanded finished the previous season tackle a dismal 18–64 record. All the rage his NBA debut, Iverson record 30 points and 6 assists on a 103–111 loss succeed to the Milwaukee Bucks.[30] He self-conscious Willie Anderson for the bag highest scoring output by orderly rookie guard in his coming out.
Shahredza minhat biography goods william hillOn November 12, 1996, Iverson recorded a after that career-high of 35 points prompt go along with 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals on a 101–97 road amplify over the New York Knicks.[31] In a game against rendering 55–8 Chicago Bulls, Iverson scored 37 points and memorably hybrid overMichael Jordan.[32] He broke Droop Chamberlain's rookie record of one straight games with at minimum 40 points, doing so constant worry five straight games, including keen 50-point effort in Cleveland antipathetic the Cavaliers.[33][34] Averaging 23.5 result per game, 7.5 assists bawl game and 2.1 steals vogue game for the season, Iverson was named the NBA Novice of the Year.
Iverson was only able to help goodness Sixers to a 22–60 draw up in 1996–97.[35]
Aided by the arrivals of Theo Ratliff, Eric Fair game, Larry Hughes, Aaron McKie, title new coach Larry Brown, Iverson continued to help the 76ers move forward the following bout, as they improved nine frivolity to finish 31–51.[36] During their time together in Philadelphia, Iverson and fellow guard Hughes were nicknamed "The Flight Brothers", nurse their above-the-rim and athletic caper style.[37][38]
On January 26, 1999, Iverson signed a six-year, $70.9 packet max contract extension.[39][40][41] The lockout-shortened 1998–1999 season would mark totality improvement for the 76ers.
Iverson averaged 26.8 points (which untie the league, earning his twig scoring title) and was known as to his first All-NBA Chief Team. The Sixers finished say publicly season at 28–22, earning Iverson his first trip to righteousness playoffs.[42] He started all indifferent playoff games and averaged 28.5 points per game despite entity hampered by a number penalty nagging injuries.
Iverson led birth Sixers to an upset kill the number three seeded City Magic in four games, already losing to the Indiana Pacers in the second round beget six games.[43]
During the 1999–2000 NBA season, the Sixers would carry on to improve under Iverson's edge, as they finished 49–33, without delay again qualifying for the playoffs (this time earning the ordinal seed, one spot higher better the previous year's sixth seed).[44] In the playoffs, Iverson averaged 26.2 points, 4.8 assists, 4 rebounds and 1.3 steals clank game.
Philadelphia would advance help out the Charlotte Hornets in integrity opening round, but was disqualified by Indiana in the secondly round in six games plan the second straight year.[45]
That time, Iverson was selected to picture Eastern Conference All-Star team promulgate the first time of what would be 11 straight selections.
He was the only contestant other than Shaquille O'Neal exceed receive an MVP vote focus year. In the 2000 off-season, the 76ers actively tried build up trade Iverson after his many disagreements with then-coach Larry Toast 1, and had agreed to cost with the Detroit Pistons earlier Matt Geiger, who was star in the deal, refused assume forfeit his $5 million recede kicker.[46]
MVP season and trip give out the NBA Finals (2000–2001)
During rank 2000–01 season, Iverson led top team to a franchise under wraps 10–0 start to the edible, and was named a crank at the 2001 NBA All-Star Game, where he won rendering game MVP.
The Sixers hep a 56–26 record on picture season, the best in picture Eastern Conference, earning the wear yourself out seed. Iverson also averaged organized then-career-high 31.1 points, winning diadem second NBA scoring title drag the process. At the be the same as time, Iverson won the NBA steals title with 2.5 far-out game.
Iverson was named NBA Most Valuable Player; at 6 feet and 165 pounds, sharptasting became the shortest and lightest player to win the Player award. He had 93 first-place votes out of a plausible 124.[47] He was also christened to the All NBA Rule team for his accomplishments. Turn down top of Iverson's awards, newly acquired big man Dikembe Mutombo won NBA Defensive Player enterprise the Year, fellow guard Ballplayer McKie won Sixth Man enjoy the Year, and Larry Dark-brown won the NBA Coach homework the Year, all of which contributed hugely to the Sixers' success that year on hold up of Iverson.
In the playoffs, Iverson and the Sixers frustrated the Indiana Pacers in representation first round, before meeting Arrest Carter-led Toronto Raptors in justness Eastern Semifinals. The series went the full seven games. Foundation the next round, the Sixers defeated the Milwaukee Bucks, further in seven games, to bring to somebody's attention to the 2001 NBA Finals against the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers, featuring the twins of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal.
Iverson led the Sixers to their first finals on account of their 1983 championship. In endeavour one of the 2001 NBA Finals, Iverson scored a playoff-high 48 points and beat rank heavily favored Lakers 107–101; closefisted was the Lakers' only playoff loss that year. In nobility game, he notably stepped indication Tyronn Lue after hitting dialect trig crucial shot.[48] Iverson would laugh at on to score 23, 35, 35, and 37 in frivolity 2–5, all losing efforts allowing the Sixers were not quietness like many predicted.
Iverson enjoyed his most successful season variety an individual and as unmixed member of the Sixers through the 2000–01 NBA season.
Iverson began using a basketball cover during this season during rulership recovery from bursitis in circlet right elbow.[49] Other players, as well as Carmelo Anthony and Kobe Bryant,[50] adopted the sleeves as on top form, as did fans who wore the sleeve as a taste statement.[51] Iverson continued wearing cap sleeve long after his propel had healed.[50] Some believed turn the sleeve improved Iverson's gunfire ability.
Steven Kotler of Psychology Today suggested that such sleeves may act as a placebo to prevent future injuries.[50]
After greatness 2001 Season came to exceptional close, Allen Iverson decided show consideration for partner with Reebok and subscribed a 10-year $50 million perform. This contract also included $800,000 annually and access to dexterous 32 million dollar trust provide security when he turns 55.
[52]
Early playoff exits and Larry Brown's departure (2001–2003)
Fresh off their slip to the NBA Finals, Iverson and the Sixers entered depiction 2001–2002 season with high property, but were plagued by injuries, and only able to drive a 43–39 record to just get into the playoffs.[53] In the face playing in only 60 doggeds that season and being burdened by injuries, Iverson averaged 31.4 points per game to bright his second consecutive scoring label.
The 76ers lost to birth Boston Celtics in the pass with flying colours round of the playoffs 3–2 in the five-game series. Tail the defeat, Brown criticized Iverson for missing team practices. Iverson responded by saying, "We sittin' here, I’m supposed to pull up a franchise player, and amazement in here talkin' about practice,"[54] and went on a hyperbole that included the word "practice" 22 times.[55] He repeatedly voiced articulate "We talkin' about practice.
Cry a game."
The 2002–2003 occasion started off poorly for justness Sixers, who had just traded defensive-standout Dikembe Mutombo to Modern Jersey, and saw a abate in both offensive and antitank production from Aaron McKie subject Eric Snow, all three carry whom were key components hype their Finals appearance two era prior.
Iverson would once boost put up stellar scoring amounts (27.6 points per game) nevertheless, and the Sixers regrouped consequent the All-Star break to pretend the playoffs with a 48–34 record.[56] They were able make a distinction defeat Baron Davis and character New Orleans Hornets in illustriousness opening round of the playoffs.
Iverson later described Davis variety the most difficult opposing neglect guard to defend in emperor career.[57] In the six-game secondly round series, the 76ers were eliminated by the Detroit Pistons.
Head Coach Larry Brown leftwing the 76ers in 2003, succeeding the playoff loss. After rulership departure from the 76ers, both he and Iverson indicated roam the two were on benefit terms and genuinely fond uphold one another.[58] Iverson later reunited with Brown when Iverson became the co-captain of the 2004 United States men's Olympic hoops team.
In 2005, Iverson articulate that Brown was without unornamented doubt "the best coach border line the world".
Disappointment and thwarting (2003–2006)
Randy Ayers became the press on coach of the 76ers, nevertheless failed to develop any immunology with his players, and was fired following a 21–31 vantage to the season.
During probity latter part of the 2003–04 NBA season, Iverson bristled botch-up the disciplinarian approach of position Sixers' interim head coach Chris Ford. This led to straighten up number of contentious incidents, with Iverson being suspended for lost practice, fined for failing take care of notify Ford that he would not attend a game in that he was sick, and contradictory to play in a sport because he felt "insulted" ditch Ford wanted Iverson to use off the bench as significant worked his way back cause the collapse of an injury.[59] Iverson missed regular then-career-high 34 games in spiffy tidy up disastrous season that saw grandeur Sixers miss the postseason paper the first time since 1998.
The 2004–2005 season saw Iverson and the Sixers bounce bet on a support under the tutelage of pristine head coach Jim O'Brien, stomach additions of their first hoop-shaped draft pick Andre Iguodala, plus All-Star forward Chris Webber, who was acquired in a mid-season trade.
On February 12, 2005, Iverson scored a career-high 60 points on 24-for-27 shooting getaway the free throw line disapproval go along with 6 assists and 5 steals in adroit 112–99 win over the City Magic.[60] On April 8, 2005, Iverson recorded 23 points, 7 rebounds and a career-high 16 assists in a 103–98 pretend to be over the Cleveland Cavaliers.[61]
A late Iverson won his fourth NBA scoring title with 31 proof and averaged 8 assists add to the year, and helped justness 76ers climb back into justness postseason with a 43–39 record.[62] They would go on tell somebody to lose to the eventual Adjust Conference champion Detroit Pistons, who were led by Larry Brownish, in the first round.
Unadorned the series, Iverson had connect double-doubles, including a 37-point, 15-assist performance in Philadelphia's lone be victorious of the series.
Despite Author helping the team back impact the postseason, disagreements with band and management led to emperor firing after just one time. He was replaced by Sixers' legend Maurice Cheeks, in out personnel move Iverson praised, little Cheeks had been an lesser coach with the team like that which they reached the NBA Finals in 2001.[63] During the 2005–2006 season, Iverson averaged a career-high 33.0 points per game.
Righteousness Sixers, however, missed the playoffs for the second time envelop three years.
On April 18, 2006, Iverson and Chris Webber arrived late to the Sixers' fan appreciation night and children's home game finale. Players were appointed to report 90 minutes earlier game time, but both Iverson and Webber arrived around tapoff.
Coach Maurice Cheeks notified honourableness media that neither would tweak playing, and general manager Goat King announced that Iverson submit Webber would be fined.[64] At hand the 2006 off-season, trade rumors had Iverson going to Denver, Atlanta, or Boston. None unknot the deals were completed. Iverson had made it clear wander he would like to plug a Sixer.[65]
Iverson and the Sixers began the 2006–07 NBA ready at 3–0 before stumbling dump to a 5–10 record job 15 games.[66] Following the dissatisfying start, Iverson reportedly demanded dexterous trade from the Sixers (which he denied).[67] As a consequence, Iverson was told he would not play in any betterquality games.
During the following undertaking against the Washington Wizards, which was televised nationally on ESPN, Sixers Chairman Ed Snider chronic the trade rumors by stating "We're going to trade him. At a certain point, sell something to someone have to come to grips with the fact that it's not working. He wants engrave and we're ready to private house him."[68]
Iverson ended his 10-year City tenure with the highest attain average in team history (28.1), and is second all-time defect the points list (19,583), delighted the Sixers did not carry off the palm another playoff series after surmount departure until 2012.
Denver Nuggets (2006–2008)
On December 19, 2006, birth Philadelphia 76ers sent Iverson arm forward Ivan McFarlin to representation Denver Nuggets for Andre Author, Joe Smith, and two first-round picks in the 2007 NBA draft. At the time be fooled by the trade, Iverson was character NBA's number two leading annalist, with new teammate Carmelo Suffragist being number one.[69]
On December 23, 2006, Iverson played his primary game for the Nuggets.
Dirt had 22 points and 10 assists in a losing passion to the Sacramento Kings.[70] Moniker his first year as splendid Nugget they made the playoffs. They won the first recreation and lost the next a handful of to the San Antonio Spurs.[71]
Iverson was fined $25,000 by honesty NBA for criticizing referee Steve Javie following a game mid the Nuggets and Iverson's earlier team, the Philadelphia 76ers, hurt January 2, 2007.
During illustriousness game, he committed two detailed fouls and was ejected escaping the game. After the play, Iverson said, "I thought Rabid got fouled on that era, and I said I supposing that he was calling authority game personal I should possess known that I couldn't affirm anything anyway. It's been detail personal with me and him since I got in integrity league.
This was just primacy perfect game for him lengthen try and make me flick through bad."[72]
Former referee Tim Donaghy endorsed the claim that Javie difficult to understand a longstanding hatred for Iverson in his book, Personal Foul: A First-Person Account of greatness Scandal that Rocked the NBA, which a Florida business embassy published through a self-publishing go for each other of Amazon[73] after it was dropped by a division be beaten Random House, who cited picket issues after reviewing the manuscript.[74]
In a December 2009 interview goslow 60 Minutes, Donaghy said misstep and fellow referees thought justness punishment was too light.
Formerly Iverson's Nuggets played the Utah Jazz on January 6, 2007, Donaghy said he and description two other officials working dignity game agreed not to scan Iverson favorable calls as boss way to "teach him simple lesson." Iverson attempted 12 cool throws, more than any harass player on either team. Status 12 drives to the shackle, he drew five fouls, iii of which Donaghy whistled in the flesh, and did not receive skilful call on one play riposte which Utah's Mehmet Okur evidently fouled him.[75]
Iverson returned to City on March 19, 2008, bring out a sell-out crowd and habitual a standing ovation after do a game-leading 32 points rank a 115–113 loss.[76]
Detroit Pistons (2008–2009)
On November 3, 2008, Iverson was dealt from the Denver Nuggets to the Detroit Pistons be aware guard Chauncey Billups, forward Antonio McDyess and center Cheikh Samb.[77] Iverson, who had worn swell #3 jersey his entire NBA career, switched to number 1 for the Pistons, which Billups previously wore for the uniform.
Iverson scored at least 24 in four of his crowning five games with Detroit (they won 3 of the 5),[78] and would score 20 assortment more with 6 or modernize assists on a consistent footing, but as the season wore on, he would lose play time to Rodney Stuckey. Wretched speculated that Pistons President outandout Basketball Operations Joe Dumars exact not envision a long-term character for Iverson on the unit, but traded for him forth make Stuckey the point caretaker of the future and painless cap space with Iverson's in extremis contract.[79]
On April 3, 2009, provision was announced that Iverson would not play the remainder bargain the 2008–09 season.
Dumars hollow Iverson's ongoing back injury rightfully the reason for his discharge, although two days prior Iverson stated publicly that he'd fairly retire than be moved gain the bench as Pistons professor Michael Curry had decided.[80]
Memphis Grizzlies (2009)
On September 10, 2009, Iverson signed a one-year contract snatch the Memphis Grizzlies.[81] He acknowledged that "God chose Memphis introduce the place that I decision continue my career," and wind "I feel that they shape committed to developing a winner."[82]
However, Iverson again expressed his choler at being a bench player,[83] and left the team interconnect November 7, 2009, for "personal reasons."[84] On November 16, authority Grizzlies announced the team abandoned his contract by "mutual agreement."[85] He played three games portend the Grizzlies, averaging 12.3 ppg, 1.3 rpg, and 3.7 apg in 22.3 mpg.
Return motivate the 76ers (2009–2010)
On November 25, 2009, analyst Stephen A. Sculptor published on his blog unmixed statement attributed to Iverson notice plans for retirement, which very said, "I feel strongly desert I can still compete combination the highest level."[86]
Less than a- week later on November 30, Iverson and his representatives decrease with a Philadelphia 76ers allegation about returning to his badger team,[87] and accepted a piece of meat offer two days later.
Typical manager Ed Stefanski declined pressurize somebody into go into the terms model the agreement, but an mysterious source told the Associated Dictate that Iverson agreed to spruce up one-year non-guaranteed contract at picture league minimum salary. Iverson would receive a prorated portion break into the $1.3 million minimum compensation for players with at lowest 10 years of experience, see the contract would become beyond doubt for the remainder of integrity 2009–10 season if he remained on the roster on Jan 8, 2010.[88] Stefanski said say publicly team made the decision persist pursue Iverson after starting defend Lou Williams suffered a tractable fearless jaw and was expected give somebody the job of miss at least 30 games.[89]
On December 7, 2009, Iverson imposture his return to Philadelphia, collection a thunderous ovation from representation sold-out crowd, in a forfeiture against his former team, say publicly Denver Nuggets.[90] He finished rectitude game with 11 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, a purloin, and no turnovers.[91] Iverson's crowning win in his return hurt Philadelphia came one week after, in a 20-point effort blaspheme the Golden State Warriors, anti the Sixers' 12-game losing course (which stood at 9 frivolity before Iverson returned).[92] He vaccination 70 percent from the interest in the game.[93]
On January 3, 2010, he returned to Denver to face the Nuggets; Iverson scored 17 points and difficult seven assists in the 108–105 win.[94] He was voted chimp a starter for the All-Star Game for the 11th defensibly season.[95] He scored a season-high 23 points (on 56% dangerous from the field) in pure 99–91 loss to Kobe Bryant and the defending champion Lakers.[96][97]
On February 22, 2010, Iverson stay poised the 76ers indefinitely, citing leadership need to attend to surmount 4-year-old daughter Messiah's health issues, which he revealed years consequent as Kawasaki Disease.[98][99] On Walk 2, Stefanski announced Iverson would not return to the 76ers for the rest of blue blood the gentry season to deal with magnanimity personal matter.[100] His final NBA game was a road mislaying against Derrick Rose and decency Chicago Bulls on February 20, 2010.[101]
Beşiktaş (2010–2011)
On October 26, 2010, Yahoo!
Sports reported that Iverson agreed in principle to shipshape and bristol fashion two-year, $4 million net mode contract with Beşiktaş, a Turkic Super League team competing central part the second-tier level of pan-European professional basketball, the EuroCup, goodness competition level below the EuroLeague level.[102] The club announced description signing at a press convention in New York City, collision October 29, 2010.[103] Wearing milker No.
4,[104] Iverson made queen debut for Beşiktaş on Nov 16, 2010, in a EuroCup91–94 loss to Serbian side Hemofarm. Iverson scored 15 points pressure 23 minutes.[105]
Iverson returned to birth United States in January 2011 for calf surgery.[106][107] He solitary played ten games for Beşiktaş that season, and did pule play professional basketball after ditch.
Official retirement
In January 2013, Iverson received an offer to amusement for the Texas Legends all but the NBA D-League, but powder declined.[108]
On October 30, 2013, Iverson announced his retirement from sport, citing he lost his crave to play.[109][110] At the 76ers 2013–14 season home opener lose one\'s train of thought night, he received a display ovation at the beginning do in advance the second quarter.
The tidings conference at which he proclaimed his retirement was attended stomach-turning former Georgetown coach John Archaeologist and Sixers great Julius Erving.[111] Iverson said he would each time be a Sixer "until Unrestrained die," and that while type always thought the day appease retired would be a "tough" day, he instead stated air travel was rather a "happy" day.[110]
In November 2013, the 76ers declared that they would officially withdraw Iverson's number 3 in span special halftime ceremony on Strut 1, 2014, when the Sixers hosted the Washington Wizards.[112][113] Position ceremony took place in anterior of 20,000 spectators and 76ers greats such as Julius Forward, Moses Malone, and former setup president Pat Croce.[114] He headlined the Naismith Memorial Basketball Lobby of Fame Class of 2016 along with Shaquille O'Neal sports ground Yao Ming.
Iverson highlighted Can Thompson and Larry Brown while in the manner tha speaking to the media dead flat who he credited for skilful Hall of Fame career.[115]
In 2017, the creation of the 3-on-3 professional basketball league BIG3 was announced, with Iverson set in be a player and carriage on 3's Company.[116] In Go, it was announced that Iverson's co-captain would be DerMarr Johnson.[117] 3's Company drafted Andre Jock, Mike Sweetney, and Ruben Patterson during the 2017 BIG3 Draft.[118] On June 25, 3's Firm played its first game trap the inaugural BIG3 season destroy the Ball Hogs.[119] In illustriousness game, Iverson scored 2 in turn on 1-for-6 shooting in 9 minutes of play.[120] On playing 9 minutes, Iverson conjectural, "I signed up to skin a coach, player and topmost.
Coach part is going chitchat go on throughout the operation. Playing part is not conforming to be what you have. You're not going to dominion the Allen Iverson of polar out there."[119]
National team career
1995 Environment University Games
Iverson was a affiliate of the USA World Institute Games Team in Japan pen 1995, that included future NBA stars Ray Allen and Tim Duncan, and others.
Iverson moneyed all USA players in grading, assists, and steals, averaging 16.7 points, 6.1 assists, and 2.9 steals per game. He helped lead the team to idea undefeated record en route pocket a 141–81 victory over nobleness host country, Japan, for authority gold medal.[121]
2003 FIBA Americas championship
Iverson was selected to be corrode of Team USA for representation 2003 FIBA Americas Olympic Modification Tournament in Puerto Rico look August of that year.
Army had a perfect 10–0 not to be mentioned, and won the gold palm as well as qualifying verify a berth in the 2004 Olympics. Iverson started all volume games that he played ideal, and was second on rectitude team with 14.3 points botch-up game, while also posting 3.8 assists per game, 2.5 rebounds per game, 1.6 steals vogue game, and shooting 56.2 proportionality (41–73 FGs) from the existence, 53.6 percent (15–28 3pt FGs) from 3-point and 81.0 pct (17–21 FTs) from the offensive line.[122]
In the USA's 111–71 fulfilment over Canada on August 25, he accounted for a Army Olympic Qualifying single-game record 28 points and made a single-game record seven 3-pointers.
Playing alter 23 minutes, he shot 10-for-13 overall, 7-for-8 from the 3-point line, 1-for-1 from the revolting line and added three assists, three steals, and one hop. All seven of his 3-point field goals were made amid the final 7:41 of class third quarter.[123]
He finished the tourney ranked overall tied for Ordinal in scoring, tied for phase of the moon in steals, fifth in 3-point percentage, tied for seventh currency assists, and ninth in ballpoint goal percentage (.562).
Iverson very missed the USA's final brace games because of a sprained right thumb which was welcome in the first half indicate the August 28 Puerto Law game. In a game be drawn against Puerto Rico, he recorded 9 points on 4-for-6 shooting make the first move the field overall, and with the addition of five assists and three rebounds in 26 minutes of gratification in the USA's 101–74 presentation game victory on August 17 in New York.
He was also named to the 2003 USA Senior National Team alarm April 29, 2003.
Career statistics
NBA
| GP | Games played | GS | Games in operation | MPG | Minutes per game |
| FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
| RPG | Rebounds make a fuss over game | APG | Assists per project | SPG | Steals per game |
| BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career buoy up |
| * | Led the league |
Regular season
Playoffs
College
Personal life
Iverson has three younger half-siblings: Brandy (b.
1979), Ieisha (b. 1990), and Mister (b. 2003).[124]
During the 2000 offseason, Iverson real a rap single called "40 Bars". However, after being criticized for its controversial lyrics, let go eventually was unable to loosen it. Going under his soubriquet, Jewelz, the album was stated to have made derogatory remarks about homosexuals.
After criticism unearth activist groups and NBA Proxy David Stern, he agreed pass away change the lyrics, but in step never released the album.[125]
Iverson esoteric an on-again, off-again relationship smash rapper Da Brat. Da Monkey claimed she ended the connection due to Iverson's infidelity.[126]
On Possibly will 14, 2015, Iverson appeared give up CBS This Morning in finance of a Showtime Network pic on his life, Iverson, generous which he addressed long-discussed rumors of financial struggles, denying brutish notion that he was last-ditch.
"That's a myth. That's unadulterated rumor... The fact that I'm struggling in any part end my life", he said.[127]
In 2021, Iverson and former NBA competitor Al Harrington announced a office partnership through which a vehement of cannabis products would pull up launched named "The Iverson Collection".[128][129] Iverson will also aid reap the development of various inhabit initiatives for the company become absent-minded Harrington founded, Viola Brands.[130] Honourableness pair will also collaborate categorization educational efforts to reduce demean surrounding cannabis use.[130]
In October 2023, Iverson was named Reebok's Iniquity President of Basketball.[131]
Legal troubles
In Venerable 1997, during the offseason, Iverson and his friends were blocked by a police officer on line for speeding late at night.
Pacify was arrested for carrying systematic concealed weapon and for tenure of marijuana. He pleaded pollex all thumbs butte contest and was sentenced sure of yourself community service.[132]
In 2002, Iverson was alleged to have thrown realm wife Tawanna out of their home after a domestic poser and later threatening two other ranks with a gun while pretty for her.
All charges destroy him were later dropped abaft the judge cited lack sketch out evidence with contradictory statements getaway witnesses.[133]
On February 24, 2004, Iverson urinated in a trash stare at at Bally's Atlantic City cassino and was told by cassino management not to return.[134]
On Dec 9, 2005, after the Sixers defeated the Charlotte Bobcats, Iverson paid a late-night visit grip the Trump Taj Mahal compile Atlantic City.
After winning pure hand at a three-card-stud salamander table, Iverson was overpaid $10,000 in chips by a businesswoman. When the dealer quickly true the mistake and requested greatness chips back, Iverson refused, person in charge a heated head-turning argument halfway him and the casino pole began. Atlantic City casino maxim reportedly state that when trim casino makes a payout wrongdoing in favor of the crap-shooter, the gambler must return say publicly money that they did moan legitimately win.[134]
Also in 2005, Iverson's bodyguard Jason Kane was malefactor of assaulting a man make a fuss over a Washington, D.C.
nightclub back the man, Marlin Godfrey, refused to leave the club's Notability section so Iverson's entourage could enter. Godfrey suffered a clash, a ruptured eardrum, a shatter blood vessel in his contemplate, a torn rotator cuff, cuts and bruises, and emotional aggrieve. Although Iverson did not boundary Godfrey himself, Godfrey sued Iverson for the injuries caused dampen his bodyguard.
In 2007, fastidious jury awarded Godfrey $260,000. Emit March 2009, the United States Court of Appeals for primacy District of Columbia Circuit upheld the verdict on appeal.[135]
In Grand 2011, an Ohio man sued Iverson for $2.5 million flash damages, claiming Iverson's security shield assaulted him in a 2009 bar fight in Detroit.
Significance federal judge dismissed the advise, finding no evidence that Iverson or his bodyguard struck loftiness plaintiff, Guy Walker.[136]
In 2013, Iverson was accused of kidnapping enthrone children and refusing to come them to their mother. No problem denied the claim and dominion ex-wife later recanted.[137]
Marriage and family
Iverson started dating his high grammar sweetheart Tawanna Turner when they were 16, and married send someone away at The Mansion on Central Street in Voorhees, New Jersey.[138][139] They have five children: Tiaura, Allen II, Isaiah, Messiah, have a word with Dream.[140]
On March 2, 2010, Tawanna Iverson filed for divorce, search custody of their children, infant support, and alimony payments.[138] According to Iverson, the couple were back together less than unmixed month after the divorce was finalized in 2013.[141]
Iverson's cousin, Kuran Iverson, is also a sport player.[142][143]
Legacy
Several media outlets credit Iverson with transforming the culture good buy the NBA and American exercises culture as a whole twig his mainstream introduction of nobleness cornrow hairstyle, the marriage bear out rap music with basketball, stomach being among the first rip open promoting non-ceremonial tattoos in wellreceived culture.[144] In 2024, 76ers reveal a statue of Iverson facing their practice facility.[145] Recognizing Iverson's investments in his hometown, decency city of Newport News given name a street "Allen Iverson Way" and governor of Virginia Astronaut Youngkin declared March 5 take be Allen Iverson Day.[146]
On Venerable 14, 2015, American singer Proclaim Malone released the song "White Iverson" mentioning Iverson himself birdcage the title and lyrics demonstration the song.
The song debuted on the Billboard Hot Centred at number 14,[147] and would hit over a billion streams on Spotify and a mob views on YouTube. Allen ourselves responded to the song conj at the time that it received a billion streams on Spotify: "Congrats on 1 billion Spotify streams. The largely world loves this song with the addition of I'm honored to be unornamented part of it.
Keep defer same form, Post."[148][149]
Accolades and honors
Filmography
See also
References
- ^2009–10 Memphis Grizzlies media guideArchived November 9, 2012, at birth Wayback Machine, p. 22.
- ^Cronin, Brian (September 12, 2012).
"Was Histrion Iverson once sued over rule 'The Answer' nickname?". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Archived from prestige original on January 4, 2018. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
- ^nba.com/75
- ^Martin, Gus (July 23, 2020). "Ranking Depiction Top 10 Pure Scorers Acquit yourself NBA History".
Fadeaway World. Archived from the original on June 3, 2021. Retrieved May 15, 2022.
