Pound for pound, few players have ever scored like Allen Iverson. Listed at just six feet, "The Answer" took on the giants of the NBA night after night, won four scoring titles and dragged the Philadelphia 76ers all the way to the 2001 NBA Finals.
Now 51 and a Hall of Famer, Iverson remains one of basketball's great cultural icons, and since October 2023 he has served as Reebok's vice president of basketball. Find more hardwood heroes in our basketball collection.
Allen Iverson Fact File
| Full name | Allen Ezail Iverson |
|---|---|
| Date of birth (age) | 7 June 1975 (51) |
| Place of birth | Hampton, Virginia, USA |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m), listed |
| Position | Shooting guard / point guard |
| Nationality | American |
| Current team/status | Retired; Reebok vice president of basketball |
| Shirt number | 3 (also 1 and 4); No. 3 retired by the 76ers |
| Nickname | The Answer, A.I. |
Career History
| Years | Team | Games | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994–1996 | Georgetown Hoyas (college) | – | – |
| 1996–2006, 2009–2010 | Philadelphia 76ers | 722 | 19,931 |
| 2006–2008 | Denver Nuggets | 135 | 3,461 |
| 2008–2009 | Detroit Pistons | 54 | 939 |
| 2009 | Memphis Grizzlies | 3 | 37 |
| 2010–2011 | Beşiktaş (Turkey) | – | – |
| NBA career | 4 teams | 914 | 24,368 (26.7 per game) |
NBA regular-season figures only, per Basketball-Reference; college and Turkish league figures are not included.
From Hampton to Georgetown
Born in Hampton, Virginia, Iverson starred at Bethel High School before heading to Georgetown University in 1994. There he was named Big East Defensive Player of the Year in both of his seasons with the Hoyas.
After two years in college, he declared for the 1996 NBA Draft, and the Philadelphia 76ers made him the first overall pick.
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Rookie of the Year and a Crossover for the Ages
Iverson made an instant impact, winning Rookie of the Year for 1996–97. That season also produced one of his signature moments: against Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls, he crossed over Jordan himself on his way to a 37-point night.
By 1999 he had won his first scoring title, and he quickly became the face of the franchise.
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MVP Season and the 2001 Finals
The 2000–01 season was Iverson's masterpiece. He won the scoring title, led the league in steals, was named All-Star Game MVP and took the regular-season MVP award as the Sixers reached the NBA Finals.
On 6 June 2001, in Game 1 against the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers, he poured in 48 points in a 107–101 overtime win, the most ever scored in a Finals debut. Late in overtime he drained a jumper over Tyronn Lue and stepped over him on the way back down the court, an image that still defines his swagger. The Lakers won the series. He later added a career-high 60 points against the Orlando Magic on 12 February 2005.
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Later Career and Legacy
Iverson moved on to Denver in 2006, then Detroit and Memphis, before a heartfelt return to Philadelphia in 2009–10 and a final spell with Beşiktaş in Turkey. On 1 March 2014 the 76ers retired his No. 3 at halftime in front of a packed home crowd, and in 2016 he was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
Honours
Individual
- NBA Most Valuable Player: 2000–01
- NBA Rookie of the Year: 1996–97
- 11× NBA All-Star; 2× All-Star Game MVP (2001, 2005)
- 7× All-NBA (three First Team)
- 4× NBA scoring champion
- 3× NBA steals leader
International
- Olympic bronze medal, Athens 2004
Recognition
- Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame: 2016
- NBA 75th Anniversary Team
- No. 3 retired by the Philadelphia 76ers
Off the Court
Iverson's partnership with Reebok is one of basketball's most famous shoe deals, and in October 2023 the brand named him vice president of basketball alongside president Shaquille O'Neal. He also played and coached in the BIG3's first season in 2017.
FAQs
How old is Allen Iverson?
Allen Iverson was born on 7 June 1975, so he is 51 years old.
Where was Allen Iverson born?
He was born in Hampton, Virginia.
How tall is Allen Iverson?
Iverson is listed at 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m).
What teams did Allen Iverson play for?
In the NBA he played for the Philadelphia 76ers (twice), Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons and Memphis Grizzlies, before finishing his career with Beşiktaş in Turkey.
How many points did Allen Iverson score in his career?
He scored 24,368 regular-season points in 914 NBA games, an average of 26.7 per game, with a career high of 60 against Orlando in 2005.
Why is Allen Iverson's step-over so famous?
In Game 1 of the 2001 Finals he hit a big shot over Tyronn Lue and stepped over him during his 48-point overtime win.
Shop the Allen Iverson Collection
Bring a bit of that Philly swagger to your wardrobe with our Allen Iverson range.
Explore our basketball collection and Philadelphia 76ers collection, or create your own with our custom name men's hoodie.
Part of our Player Profiles series. Read next: Kobe Bryant: Black Mamba and Michael Jordan: Six Titles.
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