Sixers erect sculpture for Allen Iverson at training complex
The Philadelphia 76ers will hold a sculpture unveiling ceremony on Friday, April 12 at Penn Medicine Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex to honour Allen Iverson. Regarded as one of the most decorated athletes to ever play in the NBA, Iverson was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016 and was crowned the NBA’s Most Valuable Player in 2001. The ceremony commemorates the 10th anniversary of Iverson’s No.3 being retired by the club. Named the NBA’s Rookie of the Year in 1997, Iverson spent his first 12 NBA seasons with Philadelphia, after they selected him as the No.1 overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft. Allen received the title of All-Star 11 times, seven All-NBA selections, was a four-time NBA scoring champion, and led the league in steals on three occasions. Iverson, a member of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, played his last NBA season with the 76ers in 2010. When he was MVP in 2000-01, Iverson averaged 31.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 2.5 steals in 41.9 minutes per game, leading the league in points and steals per game. Iverson has the ninth-highest scoring average in NBA history (26.7) and owns the third-highest scoring average in playoff history (29.7), trailing only Hall of Famer Michael Jordan and Dallas’ Luka Dončić. Allen led in steals in three consecutive seasons (2000-03) and ranks eight in NBA history in steals per game (2.17). Throughout Iverson’s career with the Philadelphia 76ers, he helped the club reach the playoffs six times, including an NBA Finals appearance in 2001. When he was with the team, he gathered 27.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 2.3 steals in 41.4 minutes per game. Allen was crowned an NBA All-Star in seven consecutive seasons from 2000-06 while being named the All-Star Game Most Valuable Player in 2001 and 2005. As one of the most legendary Philadelphia players of all time, Iverson is in the top five in franchise history in total three-pointers made (first), points (second), steals (second), free throws made (second), minutes played (second), field goals made (third), and assists (third). Allen’s total points (19,931) as a 76ers is rivalled only by Hall of Famer Hal Greer (21,586). In 1996-97, he set rookie franchise records in total points (1,787), field goals made (625), and three-point field goals (155). He also holds the franchise record for all-time 30-point games (303) and 40-point games (76) while ranking second in all-time 50-point games (10), behind just Wilt Chamberlain (11). “Allen Iverson is one of the greatest 76ers to ever live and one of the most iconic players in the history of the NBA, and we’re thrilled to honour his accomplishments with a well-deserved sculpture on Legends Walk,” Josh Harris and David Blitzer said. “Paying homage to the legends who paved the way for our franchise is not only the right thing to do; it’s an incredible source of inspiration for current and future generations of 76ers players and staff who enter our Training Complex every day, as well as kids in the city of Philadelphia and at large. We look forward to celebrating Allen’s legacy on April 12.” Iverson’s statue will stand at the 76ers Legends Walk alongside other 76ers legends Charles Barkley, Wilt Chamberlain, Maurice Cheeks, Billy Cunningham, Julius Erving, Hal Greer, Bobby Jones, Moses Malone, and Dolph Schayes mounted at the Penn Medicine Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex. “It’s always an honour to contribute to 76ers Legends Walk and continually helps bring history to life for such a storied franchise,” sculptor Chad Fisher said. “Allen Iverson was a game-changer, a true 76er who every Philadelphian worshipped, and I’m thrilled to unveil a sculpture of the MVP.”
