Allen Iverson’s NBA career is getting the documentary treatment.
The Hall of Famer announced a documentary project with Amazon Prime on Thursday that will detail his rise from Hampton, Virginia, all the way to the top of the NBA.
“I’m ready to tell my story my way, authentic and unapologetically. I look forward to people seeing a side of me they haven’t seen before,” said Iverson.
The film will be co-produced by Shaquille O’Neal’s Jersey Legends and Stephen Curry’s Unanimous Media.
“Allen was a pioneer in the world of sports and entertainment,” said O’Neal. “His cultural impact was bigger than basketball and this documentary sets out to properly define his legacy.”
Iverson’s unique career journey has been well-chronicled. A gifted guard with the ability to break down defenders and score from anywhere on the floor—and a star quarterback as well—Iverson was considered one of the greatest athletes in Virginia high school history.
He had his pick of essentially any college in the country before being involved in a fight at a bowling alley in 1993 and spending four months in prison while fighting a conviction on three felony counts of maiming by mob.
The fight—along with the overturning of the verdict and cultural significance of Iverson’s trial—was covered in the 2010 documentary No Crossover: The Trial of Allen Iverson.
When Iverson left prison, his college options had dwindled, but he found a champion in legendary Georgetown coach John Thompson.
The Sixers didn’t have to wait long for Iverson to blossom into superstardom at the next level, either, as he won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1997 and had his first scoring title two years later.
By 2001, Iverson was one of the faces of the NBA, winning league MVP honors while leading an undermanned Sixers team to an NBA Finals appearance.
Of course, Iverson’s NBA career was not without controversy. His brash persona led to clashes with coaches, and he had several off-court incidents that led to police involvement.
When the NBA instituted a dress code in 2005 intended to aid in public perception of the league, Iverson was considered one of the main reasons behind the change.
Iverson’s unwillingness to be anything but unapologetically himself nevertheless made him one of the biggest icons the sport has ever seen.
Countless current players cite Iverson as one of their idols growing up, and the Sixers are set to unveil a statue honoring him later this year.
Johnny
