When Allen Iverson's jersey number 3 was retired as tribute to a Philadelphia 76ers legend
Allen Iverson is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all-time. The NBA Hall of Famer remains one of the most beloved people of the sport more than a decade after retiring. Through his 14-year career, Iverson averaged 26.7 points per game, the fifth-highest total of any retired player in NBA history.
Iverson's jersey was retired by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2014. In a post shared to their Instagram account, the team stated:
"#Sixers players will wear a special 'Iverson Forever' patch on their jersey and an Iverson #3 on their shooting shirts pregame. #AI3Forever"
Check out the Instagram post below:
The eleven-time All-Star spent eleven and a half seasons as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers. He won four scoring titles and three steals titles, while also winning the 2000-2001 NBA MVP award in a season, in which he led the 76ers to an appearance in the NBA Finals. During that MVP season, Iverson averaged 31.1 points per game, 3.8 rebounds per game, 4.6 assists per game, and 2.5 steals per game.
Fans in attendance at the game received one of four giveaway prizes, given at random. The giveaway options included the Iverson Celebriduck, Iverson Gumby, "Alien" Iverson doll, and an Iverson bobblehead. Additionally, all 11 of his All-Star jerseys were on display, while the franchise auctioned off game-worn, autographed jerseys.
Watch footage from Allen Iverson's jersey retirement ceremony below:
Allen Iverson's jersey is amongst other retired jerseys by the Philadelphia 76ers
Allen Iverson's number 3 jersey is one of 10 numbers retired by the Philadelphia 76ers. Iverson is one of four players to win an MVP award as a member of the 76ers, joining Wilt Chamberlain, Julius Erving, and Moses Malone. Chamberlain won the award for three consecutive years in 1965-1966, 1966-1967, and 1967-1968, while Erving and Malone won the award in 1980-1981, and 1982-1983, respectively. Numbers 13, 6, and 2 are retired in honor of Chamberlain, Erving, and Malone.
The 76ers have retired six additional numbers, all of players who were elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Charles Barkley is the most famous of the group, as his number 34 was retired in 2001 despite his tumultous departure from the organization less than a decade earlier.
Bobby Jones and Mo Cheeks, who helped Erving and Malone lead the 76ers to their most recent title, had their number 24 and 10 retired. Billy Cunningham and Hal Greer, both members of the 76ers second title team, had number 32 and 15 retired in their honor, while Dolph Schayes, who was a part of the first championship in franchise history, had his number 4 retired. A microphone was also retired for public address announcer Dave Zinkoff three months after he passed away.
Watch Allen Iverson's highlights below: