Allen Iverson's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Allen Iverson. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

Allen Iverson, nicknamed "the Answer," is a retired American professional basketball player who played 14 seasons in the NBA. Predominantly a shooting guard and point guard, he debuted with the Philadelphia 76ers, earning the NBA Rookie of the Year award in 1997. A celebrated player, Iverson was an 11-time NBA All-Star, winning the All-Star Game MVP twice, and the NBA's Most Valuable Player in 2001. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016 and named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team. He is considered one of basketball's best scorers, ball handlers and one of the most influential athletes in American sports.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1983: First Finals Since 1983 Championship

In 2001, Allen Iverson led the Sixers to their first finals since their 1983 championship.

1992: AAU National Championship Win

In 1992, Allen Iverson played for the "Boo" Williams-led AAU basketball team and won the 17-and-under AAU national championship.

1994: Big East Rookie of the Year

In the 1994-95 season, Allen Iverson won the Big East Rookie of the Year award and was named to the All Rookie Tournament First Team while playing for Georgetown University.

1995: Continued Success at Georgetown

During his second season at Georgetown in 1995-96, Allen Iverson led the team to a Big East championship and the Elite Eight round of the NCAA tournament, also being named a first-team All-American and Big East Defensive Player of the Year.

1995: Iverson played in the USA World University Games

In 1995, Allen Iverson participated in the USA World University Games held in Japan, playing alongside future NBA stars like Ray Allen and Tim Duncan, leading the team in scoring, assists, and steals, and helping the team secure a gold medal victory against Japan with a score of 141–81.

1995: Conviction Overturned

In 1995, Allen Iverson's conviction was overturned by the Virginia Court of Appeals due to insufficient evidence, after serving four months in a correctional facility.

November 12, 1996: Career-High 35 points against New York Knicks

On November 12, 1996, Allen Iverson recorded a then career-high of 35 points along with 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals on a 101–97 road win over the New York Knicks.

1997: Named NBA Rookie of the Year

In 1997, Allen Iverson was named NBA Rookie of the Year with the Philadelphia 76ers.

1998: Led the league in points and Named to First All-NBA team

During the lockout-shortened 1998-1999 season, Allen Iverson averaged 26.8 points, leading the league and earning his first scoring title, and was named to his first All-NBA First Team.

2001: All-Star Game MVP and NBA MVP

In 2001, Allen Iverson was named a starter at the NBA All-Star Game and won the game MVP award, leading the Sixers to a 56-26 record, also winning his second NBA scoring title, the NBA steals title, and being named NBA Most Valuable Player.

2001: NBA MVP and NBA Finals appearance

In 2001, Allen Iverson was named the NBA Most Valuable Player and led his team to the NBA Finals.

2001: NBA Finals Debut

In game one of the 2001 NBA Finals, Allen Iverson scored a game-high 48 points, leading the Sixers to victory against the Lakers, and stepping over Tyronn Lue after hitting a crucial shot.

2002: Scoring Title and "Practice" Rant

In 2002, Allen Iverson earned his second consecutive scoring title, averaging 31.4 points per game despite injuries, and famously responded to criticism about missing practice with a rant that included the word "practice" 22 times.

2003: Iverson Joined Team USA for FIBA Americas Olympic Qualifying Tournament

In 2003, Allen Iverson became a member of Team USA for the FIBA Americas Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Puerto Rico, contributing to the team's perfect 10-0 record and gold medal victory, securing a spot in the 2004 Olympics.

2004: USA qualified for the Olympics

In 2004, as a result of the perfect record obtained in the FIBA Americas Olympic Qualifying Tournament, USA qualified for a berth in the Olympics.

2004: Sixers Bounced Back

The 2004–2005 season saw Iverson and the Sixers bounce back under the tutelage of new head coach Jim O'Brien, and additions of their first round draft pick Andre Iguodala, and All-Star forward Chris Webber, who was acquired in a mid-season trade. This happened in 2004.

February 12, 2005: Iverson career-high 60 points

On February 12, 2005, Allen Iverson achieved a career-high 60 points, along with 6 assists and 5 steals, in a 112–99 victory against the Orlando Magic. He shot 24-for-27 from the free throw line.

April 8, 2005: Iverson career-high 16 assists

On April 8, 2005, Allen Iverson recorded 23 points, 7 rebounds, and a career-high 16 assists in a 103–98 win against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

2005: All-Star Game MVP

In 2005, Allen Iverson won the NBA All-Star Game MVP Award for the second time.

2005: Sixers Bounce Back

2006: Iverson Career-High

During the 2005–2006 season, Iverson averaged a career-high 33.0 points per game. The Sixers, however, missed the playoffs for the second time in three years in 2006.

2008: Rated Fifth-Greatest NBA Shooting Guard by ESPN

In 2008, ESPN rated Allen Iverson the fifth-greatest NBA shooting guard of all time.

November 2013: Number Retirement Announced

In November 2013, the 76ers announced that they would officially retire Allen Iverson's number 3 in a special halftime ceremony on March 1, 2014.

March 1, 2014: Iverson's Number Retired

On March 1, 2014, Allen Iverson's number 3 was officially retired by the 76ers in a special halftime ceremony. The ceremony took place in front of 20,000 spectators and 76ers greats.

2016: Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2016

Allen Iverson headlined the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2016 along with Shaquille O'Neal and Yao Ming.

2016: Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

In 2016, Allen Iverson was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

October 2021: Named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team

In October 2021, Allen Iverson was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.

2024: 76ers Unveil Statue of Iverson

In 2024, the 76ers unveiled a statue of Allen Iverson outside their practice facility, and the city of Newport News named a street "Allen Iverson Way," while the governor of Virginia declared March 5 to be Allen Iverson Day.