Iverson Named Among HOF Finalists for 2016 Class

Report From Philadelphia 76ers

Allen Iverson is now one step closer to attaining the highest individual honor in hoops. On Friday afternoon, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame named Iverson as one of 14 finalists for its 2016 induction class.

“I’m a product of Michael Jordan, Isaiah Thomas, Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, all those guys that paved the way for us,” said Iverson during the announcement event, which was held at the Sheraton Centre hotel in Toronto and televised on NBA TV. He added that those players have “no idea” how much they influenced him.

This past November, the Hall of Fame voted to allow retired players to be enshrined after four full seasons of retirement instead of five. As a result, Iverson became eligible for induction this coming September.

Iverson’s final NBA game came on February 20th, 2010, during his second stint with the Sixers. He then formally called it a career the day before the start of the club’s 2013-2014 season.

The number one choice in the 1996 NBA Draft, Iverson went on to log 14 years in the league.  Twelve of those campaigns were spent with  the Sixers.

Over the course of his career, the six-foot guard from Georgetown compiled a sparkling list of achievements.  He was voted Rookie of the Year in 1997, and received MVP accolades in 2001, when the Sixers made their memorable run to the NBA Finals.  Also in 2001, Iverson was picked as MVP of the All-Star Game, a recognition that he took home again in 2005.  He earned All-Star Game berths in each of his last 11 seasons.

Iverson ranks seventh in NBA history with an average of 26.7 points per game, and 23rd overall with 24,368 total points.   In addition to his prolific scoring, Iverson was known for his durability, as his career average of 41.4 minutes per game reflect.  That figure is fourth-highest all-time.  Only 11 NBA players have accumulated more steals than Iverson (1,983), or made more free throws (6,375).  He also stands among the NBA’s top 50 in total minutes (48th), field goals made (28th), and assists (43rd).

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame will reveal the 2016 inductees on Monday, April 4th in Houston, during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four.