Allen Iverson

The most culturally influential player in NBA history — pound for pound the most explosive scorer the league has ever seen.

Allen Ezail Iverson was born in Hampton, Virginia in 1975 and overcame a difficult childhood — his father was absent and his mother struggled with poverty — before Georgetown University recruited him. Philadelphia 76ers selected him first overall in the 1996 NBA Draft. His 14-season career produced 24,368 points at 26.7 per game — the 11th-highest total and the highest average among players under 6ft tall. He won the NBA MVP in 2001, leading the 76ers to the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers — winning Game 1 with 48 points including a crossover step-over of Tyronn Lue that became one of basketball's most iconic moments. He led the league in scoring four times (1999, 2001, 2002, 2005) and in steals three times. His crossover dribble — executed at full speed with extraordinary ball control — became the most imitated move in playgrounds globally. He was selected to 11 All-Star games and won the All-Star Game MVP in 2005. His influence on basketball culture — cornrows, sleeve, tattoos, cultural authenticity — extended far beyond the game itself. He changed how the NBA marketed to younger audiences. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016.

Lightning-quick point guard/shooting guard with deadly crossover and scoring ability

Cultural icon who changed NBA fashion and attitude, Hall of Fame guard

• NBA MVP
• Scoring Champion 4x
• All-Star 11x
• Rookie of the Year
• All-NBA First Team 3x