Sixers Legend Allen Iverson Gives Emotional Speech, Heads Into Hall Of Fame
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) — Allen Iverson and Shaquille O'Neal tried to let their play define their stature on the basketball court.
The former NBA MVPs headlined the 10-member Class of 2016 that was enshrined into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Friday night. One of the most star-packed classes, it also featured international star Yao Ming, WNBA great Sheryl Swoopes, coach Tom Izzo, and owner Jerry Reinsdorf.
Larry Brown On Allen Iverson: Coaching Him Made Me A Better Person
Fighting tears throughout his extended speech, Iverson thanked former Georgetown coach John Thompson "for saving my life."
.@alleniverson to his children: "Thanks for being my crutch and I love y'all so much." #16HoopClass https://t.co/k5RvmI29Of
— NBA TV (@NBATV) September 10, 2016
O'Neal is set to be inducted later in the night.
Better Career: Ben Simmons Or Allen Iverson?
Posthumous honorees were: 27-year NBA referee Darell Garretson; John McLendon, the first African-American coach in a professional league; Zelmo Beaty, who led Prairie View to an NAIA title in 1962 and starred in the NBA and ABA; and Cumberland Posey, who is also a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.