Written by: Ray Lamar Inspired by: Artist Bill Rembert
Allen Iverson was born in Hampton Virginia to a single parent household where his loving mother would soon after birth move them to Newport News. There his mother would meet Iverson’s fatherly figure that would play a role in his upbringing. Be that as it may, His fatherly figure was arrested in 1991 and A.I. and his family had to live through unfortunate times. Given all of life’s struggles early on with his back against the wall Iverson was able to use athletics as an outlet, and a conduit to his early success. He led Bethel High School to basketball and football state titles during his junior year. During that year Iverson was named Athlete of the year in both sports.
Shortly after his high School success a brawl in a bowling alley erupted and the evidence pointed to Iverson’s involvement in the fight. After going to court Iverson was convicted and sentenced to 15 years in prison. Allen Iverson would serve 4 months of his sentenced and then a miracle happened. Governor L. Douglass Wilder granted Allen a pardon that finished his sentence and as a result sent him to Georgetown University to play basketball under John Thompson. Iverson would turn out to be a young phenom for Georgetown as he averages almost 23 points per game and won the defensive player of the year award on two occasions. Several other accolades were granted, but none would surpass his first round NBA draft pick in 1996 by the Philadelphia 76ers.
After his first season he would be named rookie of the year with his stellar numbers, quickness, ball handling, and consistent jump shot. But He would become well known for his comments and attitude toward practice, implying in interviews that practice was unimportant to him. Outside of all those high and lows on the court he also started to hear criticisms for his tattoos, one on one streetball mentality, and his past. As a young player Iverson’s would take on this public persona as he would be arrested in 1997 and 2002 for a combination of marijuana and gun charges. This Image was replicated in a song Iverson released to the public in 2000 called 40 bars. Despite all these outside influencers Allen’s talent would still be felt throughout the NBA. During this time Iverson’s legal troubles would continue as he was sued in the amount of $260,00 for allowing his executive protection service to beat up someone. Iverson’s unscripted approach to life would follow him off the court and into retirement as financial issues allegedly plagued him in 2012.
Editor’s Note: This article first published on February 5, 2020.