Recently retired NBA legend to be given one of the highest club honours.
Allen Iverson, who was named the NBA Most Valuable Player in 2001 when he led the Philadelphia 76ers to the NBA Finals, will have his jersey number retired by the Sixers.
The 76ers will retire Iverson’s No. 3 uniform on March 1 in a ceremony before a home game against Washington.
He becomes the eighth 76er to have his jersey retired, joining a group that includes Julius Erving, Charles Barkley, Wilt Chamberlain, Maurice Cheeks, Billy Cunningham, Bobby Jones and Hal Greer.
Iverson was the first player selected in the 1996 NBA Draft and played 10 seasons with the 76ers before stints in Denver, Detroit and Memphis led to a final campaign with Philadelphia ending in 2010.
Iverson, a four-time NBA scoring champion and 11-time NBA All-star, played 10 games for Turkish side Besiktas before calling it quits for good, although he did not make it official until last month at a ceremony before the 76ers season opener against reigning champion Miami.
“Allen Iverson is, without question, one of the most iconic players to ever wear the Sixers uniform,” 76ers chief executive officer Scott O’Neil said.
“Allen left everything out on the court and no one could ever question his heart. He was relentless, fearless and pound-for-pound, was one of the greatest to ever play the game.”
In 2001, Iverson and many of his teammates defied doctors orders in taking the court for the championship series, which they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Iverson ranks second in 76ers history in minutes played (29,879), points (19,931), steals (1,644) and free throws made (5,122). His average of 27.6 points a game matched Chamberlain for the highest scoring average in club history.
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