By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Joining fellow legends of the Philadelphia 76ers, a statue of Allen Iverson will be added to the 76ers Legends Walk.
The Sixers shared details on Friday, on the tenth anniversary of his jersey being retired by the franchise, scheduling the unveiling ceremony on April 12.
Per the press release: “The Philadelphia 76ers will host a sculpture unveiling ceremony honoring Allen Iverson on Friday, April 12 at Penn Medicine Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex. As one of the most decorated athletes ever to play for the organization, Iverson was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016 and selected as the NBA’s Most Valuable Player in 2001. This announcement comes on the 10th anniversary of Iverson’s No. 3 being retired by the franchise.
Named the NBA’s Rookie of the Year in 1997, Iverson spent his first 12 NBA seasons with Philadelphia, after the franchise selected him with the No. 1 overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft. The 15-year pro was named an All-Star 11 times, received 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, returned to play his final NBA season with the 76ers in 2010.
During his MVP season 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 NBA in both points and steals per game. Iverson has the ninth-highest scoring average in league 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. He led the league in steals in three consecutive seasons (2000-03) and ranks eighth in NBA history in steals per game (2.17).
Throughout Iverson’s illustrious career with the 76ers, he helped the team reach the playoffs six times, including an NBA Finals appearance in 2001. During his time with the franchise, he tallied 27.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 2.3 steals in 41.4 minutes per game.
Iverson was named an NBA All-Star in seven straight seasons from 2000-06 while being named the All-Star Game Most Valuable Player in both 2001 and 2005.
One of the most iconic 76ers of all-time, Iverson ranks 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). His total points (19,931) as a 76er are second only to 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). Iverson 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 only 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 honor 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 sculpture will join fellow 76ers legends Charles Barkley, Wilt Chamberlain, Maurice Cheeks, Billy Cunningham, Julius Erving, Hal Greer, Bobby Jones, Moses Malone, and Dolph Schayes along 76ers Legends Walk at the Penn Medicine Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex.
“It’s always an honor to contribute to 76ers Legends Walk and continually help 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.”
Fisher has created the nine sculptures that currently stand on Legends Walk, honoring some of the 76ers greatest legends. Iverson will be his 10th. A native to the area, Fisher’s work extends far beyond Pennsylvania. He created multiple sculptures for the Chicago Bears and has been recognized as an ARC Living Master Artist, an elected member of The National Sculpture Society, and an elected member of Salmagundi Club in New York City. To learn more about Fisher and his work visit www.fishersculpture.com
Allen Iverson will also be honored on April 14, when the 76ers host the Brooklyn Nets. The team will host a special celebration prior to tipoff.”
Photo Credit: Getty Images