r/nba • u/Fit-Tourist2852 • 11h ago
Allen Iverson in australia. Absolutely disgusting
Hello reddit,
Im writing this post about the NBA “star player”, Allen Iverson.
On the 22nd of January 2026, Alllen iverson came to Cavalo Prestige Melbourne to meet 12 kids who are battling cancer.
The experience was organised by Challenge - Supporting kids with cancer, and Allen Iversons management team.
My little brother who is 12 years old and is currently receiving chemotherapy for ALCL lymphoma, was so excited to meet one of his idols.
He came out to be extremely disgusted and disappointed in Allen Iversons behaviour, and so were the other familys.
Firstly, we were all told we would get to sit with him from 10:45-11:30am, and that did not happen.
He was in the podcast room until about 12:30pm and did not come out and apologise, instead his security did.
We were waiting in a downstairs room with his security with all of the kids, and his security told us he was “having a bad day” and didnt want to come out.
Shortly after, we were told to go upstairs to meet him, and we did not get to meet him.
He refused to allow parents in the room with him, which quite frankly is weird.
Once we were directed upstairs, we were escorted to the side of the room while he was doing a news interview.
We went into the day being told we were going to get balls/jerseys and anything else we wanted signed and to think of questions we wanted to ask him. That did not happen.
After we waited hours, his security firmly told us he is not signing anything at all, and we did not get to talk to him at all, he did not say a word to anyone.
We were lined up and all the kids got was a photo, and he did not seem impressed about that.
He had his hands in his pockets and did not smile or put his arm around any kids in any photos.
He knew the kids were sick, and still did not put any effort or acknowledgement to that.
Everyone was so disgusted in his behaviour, it was honestly so disappointing.
One of the familys drove 6 and a half hours to meet him, and the kids where so extremely sad in the end. He seemed to think he was better than everyone else, and it was obvious he did not want to have anything to do with a group of sick kids.
As parents and siblings of children with life threatening diseases, we are deeply disappointed in Allen Iversons actions and he needs to do better.
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u/soundfade 11h ago
Lots of people were upset by his time here is Aus unfortunately. Seems like he did not really want to be here but the pay check was too good to turn down.
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u/CodFather9 10h ago
AI was a very fun player to watch for a decade in the states, but he was always an asshole.
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u/datboiofculture 9h ago
Seriously the only surprise in this story is that a 12 year old anywhere is a really big fan of AI. Like I enjoyed watching him back in the day but I think if you told most 12 year olds “hey we’re driving 6 hours to meet AI” they’d say “uhhh, who? Why?” Are Australian kids really into watching his old crossover highlights on YouTube or something?
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u/Buddha-Not-For-Sale 9h ago
Shit when I was 12 he had already been retired for 2-3 seasons… And that was 14 years ago.
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u/constancejph Clippers 9h ago
The parents were probably excited and hyped up the kids. Aint no way 12 year olds are waiting around to see AI
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u/Rational-Introvert Celtics 8h ago
The no parents allowed thing makes a whole lot more sense after reading your comment.
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u/zFugitive 6h ago
Yeah, I doubt any of those kids actually even know or care about who AI is. It's still shitty to have a bunch of cancer kids just standing around because you can't be asked to sack up and just do what you promised you would do, but I doubt a single one of those kids felt anything other than bored for those 2-3 hours.
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u/Quite_Poopular 76ers 9h ago
Reminds me of this Dave Chappelle bit. (NSFW language)
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u/pathsofrhymes 8h ago
I'll do you one better. MadTV's Allen Iverson Camp for Kids.
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u/averageveryaverage [CHI] Joakim Noah 8h ago
90s and early/mid 00s Chappelle was the GOAT. That entire bit is just one 100mph fastball after another.
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u/lopsided125 8h ago
I was alive to watch him play and am on /r/NBA, and I don't care to meet him.
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u/datboiofculture 8h ago
Yeah what would you even ask him? “Is it true you used to drop over a hundred K per night at TGI Fridays??”
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u/Proteinchugger 10h ago
Yeah AI was never really viewed as a decent person, none of what was wrote surprised me.
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u/stock-prince-WK East 11h ago edited 11h ago
This is what a desperate broke person does.
Look at my comment from below getting mad downvotes from Iverson worshippers 😭😭
If he was so great why is he taking checks from Australia for kids events and not even fulfilling his contract duties lmao
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u/jasonkid87 Pacers 10h ago
Not just kids event, he was scheduled to show up at culture kings (clothing brand) for fans to take photo with him and you should see the picture of iverson with the fans lol! (just search culture kings in Facebook) Might as well have a cardboard cutout picture of Iverson for the photo.
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u/pt256 8h ago
Just looked, I thought the ones with the table were a little odd (the table creating a space between him and the fans makes it feel a little sterile) but he was at least smiling for the most part. Then I scrolled down and saw the photos with him and a fan sitting on the chairs and holy shit, he literally looks like he is asleep or even dead in some of them. If I had gotten one of those photos I definitely wouldn't put it up on social media. Fucking embarrassing.
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u/No_Match_7939 9h ago
Only thing I can find an excuse for it if hes sick. But damn bad look
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u/RockingRocker Raptors 8h ago
Respectfully, I don't care. If he's sick, he shouldn't be meeting with immunocompromised children, and should have rescheduled. Otherwise suck it up for the single hour he has to act like a decent person and try to cheer these kids up.
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u/PhantomTroupe26 Magic 10h ago
I love Allen Iverson but this is poor and inexcusable behavior. It's so sad to see and I feel so bad for those families. I hope that something is done to make it up to them
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u/microtherion Warriors 10h ago
Maybe he thought his contract was with Aspiration.
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u/Sairony Mavericks 9h ago
Dude has been shit for a long time here's some more stories from a good while back that I saved.
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u/SupremeBlackGuy Raptors 8h ago
i’m ngl the story you linked is just funny to me 🤣😭 some shit you’d see on Boondocks
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u/logicbloke_ 10h ago
Have you considered the fact that some of these "superstars" area egotistical POSes who care about nothing other than money. It's a life lesson that we shouldn't be worshiping them without knowing who they are.
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u/tmcuthbert 10h ago
I don’t get it either. I see it all the time as a Celtics fan, people fawning over Tatum taking pictures with his kid. Calling him a great person and a great dad. He might be those things, but he might also be an insufferable asshole whose kid is being raised by a nanny. Nobody really knows except the people who interact with him on a day to day basis.
People should find their heroes in their own communities, people they actually know.
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u/LaChoffe Raptors 10h ago
I worked for an NBA team and the players are way bigger assholes than people think. Generally act 10 years younger than their age and look down on anyone who hasn't played in the league. Not everyone, definitely a few gems on every team (almost never the star though) and this isn't exclusive to basketball, I've worked in other sports and it is the same egos everywhere.
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u/mental__hospital 8h ago
I worked in a fairly… menial position for a pro sports team, but one that put me around (like, on the field pre and post and once or twice during a game lol) players on an almost every home game basis for a few years. The only ones who ever said literally anything to us were the #1 star and a bench guy who maybe never played big league minutes lol. Most of them seemed like real knobs tbh
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u/IAmTheWaller67 Heat 7h ago
I work in film, and have had a similar experience with actors. The most famous people I've worked with for the most part have been super chill, and the unknowns are usually pretty humble and grateful. The people who end up being the biggest asswipes are the B/C/D-Listers, famous enough that people have heard of them but not as famous or successful as they think they should be. Lot of insecurity.
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u/Valuable-Benefit-524 NBA 8h ago
What always gets me is how unpredictable it is too. I worked at a restaurant for a year when I was in undergrad that was extremely popular with athletes for some superstitious reasons, and I always cracked up when “dirty” or aloof athletes ended up being incredibly kind. There was a hockey coach who was notoriously intense that would literally just sit by himself glaring like a complete psychopath, but was actually one of the kindest sports dudes we ever got and tipped really well too. Just didn’t know how to smile…
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u/LaChoffe Raptors 7h ago
Yeah guys I loved watching as a fan kind of sucked to work with but some guys who seemed annoying on the court and had a bad rep were awesome.
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u/nefnaf Celtics 9h ago
We often at least have some idea. It's not exactly a secret that Iverson was a headcase during and after his basketball career.
It's telling that he went broke quickly after retirement despite over $150m in career earnings.
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u/DeMarcus-Siblings Pistons 9h ago
When he played for the Pistons he spent an insane amount of time at the casinos in Detroit, i’m not surprised at all that he is broke.
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u/TomlinSteelers 76ers 9h ago
people fawning over Tatum taking pictures with his kid.
The bar is so fucking low. It's like that Chris Rock bit
You're supposed to take care of your kids
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u/CobrasMama 9h ago
It's a life lesson that we shouldn't be worshiping them without knowing who they are.
25 years ago, I was friends with the son of a famous MLB coach when I was in college. As a lifelong fan of the team his dad coached for, I was very familiar with his dad's accomplishments, and was surprised to learn that the guy I'd been hanging out with for months was actually his kid!
Well... one day I asked him about his dad.
"We don't speak."
"Oh no, really? I'm sorry to hear that," I said, understanding that I probably shouldn't ask why.
"Yeah, he used to beat the shit out of me because I told him I was gay. He tells me I'm not his son, and that he's taken me out of his will. He's not really part of my life anymore."
We never talked about his dad again, but that personal friendship really opened my eyes to the fact that sports heroes can be complete piece of shit human beings.
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u/Fragrant-Employer-60 9h ago
That was his whole image while playing, I think he basically got a career revival with his “practice???” clip and highlights getting a second life on social media.
And people either not being around during that era or just forgetting how much of a dick he was lol
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u/supergrega Heat 7h ago
Unfortunately not only some but a vast majority of them.
As someone who had a (mis)fortune to work in a service industry for rich athletes and entertainers I can't stress enough how true the saying "Never meet your heroes" holds for me.
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u/Ray-Gamma 11h ago
“He’s having a bad day” is incredibly tone deaf. Smh
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u/Ricemobile Wizards 10h ago
“Guys, I’m going through some rough things in my life right now. You guys will never understand”
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u/YouWereBrained Thunder 9h ago
God, this could be a really awful but hilarious skit.
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u/warboner65 Spurs 11h ago
Translate it to: "he's hungover, needs to start drinking again and can't have parents smelling it on him"
Roughly
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u/Whiterhino77 10h ago
Can you imagine telling a group of cancer patients and their families you’re having a bad day
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u/Joeva8me 8h ago
You don’t have to imagine. OP just told you. AI is cooked and has been for 15 years. I’d blame the promoters. He was half baked during his career and has to be on a shoestring now. He played for my team for like 3 days
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u/Thick_Duck Thunder 10h ago
“These kids will understand, they have a bad day every day”
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u/cheattowin77 76ers 10h ago
Yup. It’s no secret AI has a huge drinking problem. My friends have seen him multiple times around Philly just basically black out
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u/mikemorepaper 10h ago
He had a drinking problem. He was clean for a while. It would be unfortunate if what the OP is alleging is due to a relapse.
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u/BigBoringWedding Cavaliers 9h ago
It's pretty clear he did relapse. As in, stopped trying to be sober. As a former drinker close to his age, I don't know how his body withstands the abuse. It starts becoming much harder to function as a heavy drinker in one's late 30s or so, in my experience.
Based on what I've read about him, Iverson is an asshole whose bad behavior is exacerbated his alcoholism, not a nice man who becomes an asshole when drinking.
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u/Binjuine Lakers 8h ago
He is using his elite athleticism to accomplish feats that are usually impossible for people his age.
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u/OhItsKillua Hawks 8h ago
Some people are just outliers, my grandpa made it up to 85 almost, and guy was downing a bottle of liquor daily for years. Friends and family had at least a good 60 years of stories about his drinking.
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u/Throckmorton_Left Warriors 9h ago
He was a real piece of shit when he played for the Sixers 25 years ago. I once was out with friends in Old City in 2002 or 2003 and AI came in with a big group and decided that he liked the table we were sitting at. Management embarrassedly came over and explained the situation and offered to buy us a round of drinks to move, and I said no and suggested that AI could pick up our tab if he wanted our table. That wasn't going to happen, but the bar eventually told us to just leave so he could sit because they didn't want him throwing a tantrum.
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u/linnykenny Hawks 10h ago
Ahh, this could explain it. I couldn’t understand how someone could possibly act like this.
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u/BoringDirector4850 10h ago
I believe he is known for being an alcoholic at this stage in his life. He has fallen very far and is a pretty sad person from what I know
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u/heebs387 [DAL] Dirk Nowitzki 10h ago
That was my thinking too. It's definitely been a problem for him, but maybe it was wishful thinking I thought he had turned a corner on it.
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u/husis666 10h ago edited 4h ago
Imagine saying that to a group of KIDS WITH CANCER! Tone deaf is not really enough to describe how bad it is.
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u/WeirdSysAdmin 76ers 10h ago
Put on a smile for sick kids like the rest of us assholes do so sick kids don’t have to deal with assholes.
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u/JaylenBrown7 11h ago
Remember the Big 3 sold out because AI was coming and he no showed lol
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u/criddler Lakers 10h ago
i remember being so hyped on this with my boys when it was announced. we could not believe out of all places, with the announcement, as well as the recent positive BIG3 coverage that he was just nowhere to be seen.
once i looked into him I realized he's always been a clown, and this shit just adds to the long list of shit
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u/jtnsniper14 Supersonics 7h ago
I think I heard from an interview that AI just wanted to do Ice Cube a solid, but he probably should've just been honest, and said he had no interest in playing anymore, and wouldn't be able to commit. Also wouldn't be surprised if he felt he was "above" the league as well.
That's why I respected when Dwight Howard played in the BIG3 last year as he was already nominated for the HOF at this point, and really had nothing to play for, but still showed up for every game, embraced the league, and was professional the entire time.
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u/criddler Lakers 6h ago
yeah dwight gets a bad rep because he's a closeted bisexual and i'm convinced the NBA blacklisted him given his hilarious omission from top 75 + his "locker room rep"
but AI being advertised even as the coach in Philly got everyone there, and he just fucked off. like he fucks everything else off he's ever done
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u/AtreusIsBack NBA 4h ago
Dwight is a real one, always has been. The opposite of Iverson.
His documentary is literally titled "Me, myself and Iverson". If that's not a clear indicator of who he's always been, nothing will be.
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u/ShadesNGlades 10h ago
I remember watching that first season of Big3 waiting for "Coach" AI to suit up and show he could still hang.
Dude looked like he was hanging on for his life in the two minutes he played.
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u/jtnsniper14 Supersonics 7h ago
The funniest comment someone made at the time was, "AI out there looking like the Question" Lmaoooo
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u/discountheat Hawks 9h ago
You could tell from the "training" video that they released prior to his appearance that there was zero chance he was going to do anything productive on the court.
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u/Mindofmierda90 8h ago
I’ve seen moments where it looks like he completely forgot how to play basketball. In one clip someone passed him a ball and he looked at it like “hey, this looks that ball I used to play that one sport with!”
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u/Odd_Status3367 9h ago
I was there. It was Philly summer of 2017, I was in town for a wedding in the burbs and it was the first time seeing my two best friends from college since we had graduated a few years earlier.
It was actually nuts how quickly the crowd thinned out after that tweet came out saying he wasn't playing. Everyone literally got up and went to Xfinity live to drink yards of beer and piss on the toilet seat
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u/LarBrd33 8h ago
He actually played in a big 3 game but he couldn’t even dribble a basketball anymore
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u/Fit-Tourist2852 11h ago
Cavalo Prestige Melbourne also purchased 10 Basketballs for him to sign, that they were going to auction and donate the money to Royal childrens hospital Melbourne. He did not sign any of the 10 basketballs.
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u/llIlIllllIIIll 10h ago
At this point, the organizers need to deny payment or take him to court so this becomes a big story.
Hope your brother and the other kids have tried to not take it personally. This makes me furious because I know at least some of the kids will feel like he doesn't like them - that's just how their brains work.
Crazy behaviour.
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u/help_isontheway_dear 10h ago
Honestly, the lack of money being made or paid out is pretty secondary here.
The experience was supposed to be the real win for these kids and instead they probably all felt excluded and like a burden. Which is so deeply unfair to any child, let alone sick children.
IMO, public shaming should be done heavily in this case and try and hit him where it hurts more, with sponsors he has that may not want to associate their brand with him.
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u/No_Annual_3152 8h ago
And that podcast. Whoever it was should be named for letting it take so long that he missed the kids. And I bet it takes a lot about him helping his with cancer too. That episode needs to not air
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u/O_J_Shrimpson Nets 7h ago
Yeah this just screams “I showed up for this because it would be beneficial to me, and prioritized the things that would help my image”.
Pathetic behavior.
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u/YouWereBrained Thunder 9h ago
I work for St. Jude CRH here in the states. If he did this to our kids, I’d be fucking furious.
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u/GDRaptorFan Raptors 10h ago
Holy shit just diabolical bad vibes. I’m glad you shared here, apathetic charity is one thing. But just purely skipping something to benefit children with cancer and their families is literally an example of “what small action shows you instantly the person has bad character?”.
I’m so sorry you and your family had such a disappointing day, it’s THE LAST thing you all need as you go through this difficult time. I truly hope another famous hooper comes along to right the ship in a way. I will never speak of Allen Iverson in a positive tone again in my life.
Thank you for sharing and I hope your brother makes a full recovery and your family is okay! It takes a special kind of asshole to disappoint children with cancer , just jaw droppingly bad. I’m sorry!
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u/Spemanz92 Thunder 10h ago
Holy cunt
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u/complete_your_task Celtics 10h ago
And not even an Australian cunt. He's a full on American cunt.
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u/IPissExcellentThrows 76ers 10h ago
This is so unacceptable. I don’t care how shit you feel or how hungover you. Signing your name 10 times is so fucking easy. Even if you have the worst hangover ever.
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u/WhoElseButQuagmire11 Australia 10h ago
If able you should take this up legally. I know we don't don't go us crazy over that in Australia here but still. Perhaps your brother/those kids will be able to meet someone worth meeting.
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u/162baseballgames 10h ago
at least you got to see vintage AI.
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u/cepukon 9h ago
"We talkin bout Sick Kids?? Not the game I pour myself into every time, but sick kids? We talkin about sick kids?"
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u/kitofsnitz 10h ago
I served Allen and his 3 buddies once at a sports bar. They sat for 8 hours watching the games and playing spades, gambling thousands. Their tab was only about $180 (after 8 hours lmao) and they got up to leave without paying. On the way out I stopped Allen and told him noone paid and he seemed really annoyed and slapped two hundreds into my hand and walked out. He's a bum.
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u/mrspaintbrush Mavericks 3h ago
He was banned from many restaurants in Philly because he refused to tip servers. Not even LeBron is that cheap
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u/Clorc_Kent 3h ago
Is LeBron even known for being cheap? I thought he was just frugal. I feel like penny pinching for yourself and being stingy towards others are two completely different things.
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u/LoserBustanyama Pistons 3h ago
I met a bartender/server from Cleveland in a local bar once and she claimed their restaurant had similarly banned LeBron for not tipping. Shaq on the other hand was apparently very generous.
Not sure how true it is of course
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u/ILoveRegenHealth 2h ago
I can't get it through my head how someone worth $800M-$1B can be so cheap and not tip at all. Makes no sense. Even a crazy $1,000 tip is nothing to him (literally the equivalent of change inside our car cup holder), and means so much to the workers.
Even if this is an older story and his net worth was much less, he was still "1% richest people on the planet" rich.
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u/b3atd0wn Lakers 5h ago
Jesus, where do I have to move that you can spend eight hours in a bar and it’s less than two hundred bucks?
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u/bannedagainomg 5h ago
You can do that in any bar, just sit there not ordering anything.
But if you are there for hours and not ordering anything they might tell you to leave if its busy and ur just taking up room.
Doubt they kick out famous people for that tho.
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u/Trick_Slice Lakers 5h ago
Yeah that's the key part, famous. I'm pretty sure any average person can't spend that long in a bar without being told to leave.
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u/howcouldubmoeharkles 11h ago
What a dick head. I’m sorry the kids had to deal with that.
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u/Toddric29 11h ago
Oh no he was having a bad day? Maybe the kids with life threatening diseases can give him some advice on how to overcome those.
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u/Gloomy-Ad-222 10h ago
Advice number one: never meet your heroes.
Like literally, you’ll never get to meet them because sometimes they’re just too hungover for cancer
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u/FatherOfTwoGreatKids Timberwolves 10h ago
He has a known drinking problem…maybe he kicked the booze and is just an asshole? I don’t know.
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u/ReagansRaptor Hawks 10h ago
Or he's massively hung over. "Having a bad day" is the most honest description my junky brother is capable of when he wants to warn me he's too high/sick to be reliable that day.
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u/whatssenguntoagoblin Alperen Sengun 10h ago
The fact that the security guard didn’t even lie for AI and tell them he’s feeling sick tells me he security guard is sick of his shit and didn’t care to lie for him and didn’t care if AI looked bad.
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u/Bbqandspurs Spurs 10h ago
my wife says the same thing when she eats too much cheese
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u/Zestyclose-Camp3553 11h ago
I googled Allen Iverson and Australia there is a recent negative article about him being in Australia in the local media. So I guess OP is telling the truth?
https://www.basketball.com.au/news/allen-iverson-nba-legend-ripped-by-jason-cadee-cut-to-the-jase
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u/peacemaketroy 11h ago
Yep confirmed by Aussie great Chris Anstey on his social media. Didn’t show up to another event. Absolute cunt.
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u/Proof-Umpire-7718 Lakers 10h ago
Btw shoutout Chris Anstey.
He organised Dirk’s tour of Australia.
Idk how the other events went, but he did an excellent job of helping to arrange the meet and greet with Dirk that I attended at the nba store in Melbourne.
He was also very nice to me and happily let me take a photo with him.
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u/Alkazard Hornets 11h ago
I believe there was a separate event that he was meant to attend which had paid tickets featuring him, albeit they were paying for the event as a whole and obviously he was listed as an appearance.
Haven't seen a news article, probably as this was such a small, intimate group - but I did see a random instagram post referring to him skipping out on a small event also, so seems plausible
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u/archiezhie Warriors 11h ago
He's been like this all the time tbh. His tour in China nearly sparked a national outrage. I guess the bag wasn't big enough for him to be nice on a bad day.
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u/conenubi701 [MIA] Voshon Lenard 9h ago
There are two AIs, the joyful AI when he was playing in the NBA and was a star player, and the bitter AI as he started losing his touch on his last days in Philly. He was loved in philly because of how much he carried the team and how good of a person he was to the philly community. Once things started to fall apart the real AI came out though, lashing out at media and fans. He's like that person that was once kind before becoming lonely, bitter, and lashing out at every perceived slight once their life partner dies.
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u/rockyroad55 9h ago
Typical alcoholic behavior. There’s always two faces they wear at all times. One for show and the other is their true self. Eventually towards the end, those two faces merge and here we are.
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u/Meatpiewithsource 7h ago
Throughout his playing days this man so badly wanted to be loved, admired and respected, but he can’t tolerate people who love and admire him and consequently loses all respect.
The wild part is that this diva’s PR team thought it was a good idea for him to meet with sick kids. A low-effort appearance at a street wear store is one thing, but fucking around with sick kids and their families is unforgivable. I get his people thought this was an easy chance to look good, but surely they considered how badly this could go.
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u/emuzing 10h ago edited 10h ago
I once sat next to AI on a flight from PHX - he was sitting in the aisle seat, high as fuck just crushing a whole bag of flaming hot Cheetos before takeoff. Maybe 20 people recognized him as they were passing him to board, and of those 20 people who tried to show him some love he looked straight through every single one of them like they weren’t even there. He didn’t respond to a single word, or even acknowledge their existence.
Then he passed out and drooled all over himself for 3 hours.
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u/UnderwaterB0i 9h ago
I honestly can't tell if this is copypasta or not, hahahaha
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u/slickhomieblackboy 11h ago
Never meet ur heroes
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u/HereComesJustice Spurs 10h ago
No see that was the problem they didn't meet their hero
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u/ItsOozingOut Raptors 10h ago
If AI is your hero, find a different one. Dude has always been a jerkoff.
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u/xirson15 10h ago
I get it, but You know what he meant. Obviously fans are fans because of what he did on the basketball court.
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u/J-Rod140 Bulls 10h ago
I guess I’m confused why AI is a hero to a 12 year old in the first place. He was one of my favorite players growing up, but I’m almost 40.
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u/iBaires Lakers 10h ago
Don't have heroes. They are just people. And like most people in general, they will disappoint you.
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u/No-Individual3513 11h ago
Being a dickhead to kids with cancer might be one of the most immoral acts imaginable. Shameful
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u/worsechestersaws 8h ago
I always try to give celebrities the benefit of the doubt for times they are approached for an autograph, because you have no idea if they’re having a terrible day, or whatever. They are still people, and sometimes I think we forget that.
There is no way to excuse this incident. You’re being paid to be there, to try and brighten the day of kids who probably combined have less days than you.
I don’t give a fuck what’s going on with your day, man the fuck up, put on a smile, and do everything you can to fucking help these kids have some moments of pure joy, maybe their last moments of genuine happiness, you fucking tool.
I take that back, tools are actually useful. Fucking pathetic.
I just hope these kids get another chance to experience what they hoped to that day. Maybe they can find a real man this time.
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u/ramblin_gamblin 10h ago
Cal Ripken was an asshole to me when I was 10 years old and I never forgot it.
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u/Evening-Respond-7848 Rockets 11h ago
Allen Iverson has always been an asshole. Of course this story is true.
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u/Hot_Refuse_6499 11h ago
People love to put him on a pedestal, but to me he is the genesis of everything I don't like about the NBA today
Just a couple examples.
On the court: Carrying the ball
Off the court: glorifying unprofessionalism
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u/chizzo257 76ers 10h ago
I've heard obsession stories before about him being a dickhead, not surprising. Can you imagine if he had social media while he was playin, all the shit that would've come out...
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u/whatssenguntoagoblin Alperen Sengun 10h ago
Still remember the story where he kicked his girlfriend out of the house when she was completely naked. Vile behavior.
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u/CENTRELINKBANKSTOWN Grizzlies 11h ago
Wow that’s disappointing as an Aussie to hear that another nba legend disrespecting his fans vulnerable ones at that I remember when shaq O’Neal came to culture kings to Australia and he didn’t show up for the meet and greet that was made for him but instead had enough time to film gambling ads the fucking cunt
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u/krusty-krab69 Cavaliers 10h ago
Organizations need to stop giving him platforms like this to make money. It isn’t the first time he’s done things like this .
There was a point in his life he filed for bankruptcy. I hope he gets the privilege of filing twice someday .
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u/MiamiPower Heat 8h ago
Why would any kids want to meet Allen Iverson 1996 NBA Draft. He retired from professional basketball in 2014.
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u/TheMeccaNYC 10h ago edited 8h ago
I’m from Allen Iversons hometown in VA.
He’s at the mall a lot. People know to leave him be and never ask for photos. He’s been through a lot.
No excuse for this behavior though, absolutely none. I’m very sorry for your brother. And I sell sports cards id be happy to hook your brother up with some cool cards of his favorite team/player
Edit: brother not son* apologies
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u/eyf_zombay Lakers 9h ago
This is cool as fuck big dawg. I bet those families would really appreciate this.
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u/Adventurous_Buddy124 7h ago
People still go to malls in Southern Virginia? The heck? Great gesture bro.👏🏿🙏🏿
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u/humphreybr0gart Jazz 11h ago
Was anyone under the impression that AI was a particularly good person ?
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u/WeBelieveIn4 Raptors 9h ago
There’s not being a good person and then there’s being a complete fucking asshole
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u/Slacker_75 [TOR] Pops Mensah-Bonsu 8h ago
Reddit always sucks him off every chance they get so yes there’s a lot of idiots around here
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u/ExcitingLandscape Wizards 8h ago
He cries and is emotional anytime he is honored with anything. Even when he was honored with that tiny miniature statue in Philly.
I guess when it comes to anyone outside of himself, he could care less even if its for sick kids
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u/Least-Glass-2207 10h ago
AI himself said he blew thru all his money, he probably just needed a check and had no interest in being nice to these people smh
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u/discountheat Hawks 9h ago
He's been helped along by so many people. The 76ers have given him money; his Reebok contract is structured to give him an $800K check every year with a big payout in 2030.
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u/ripndipp Raptors 10h ago
Fuck both AI's
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u/SegaGuy1983 Celtics 9h ago
What did Andre Iguodala do?
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u/WackyRevolver Raptors 9h ago
I'm not a big news guy, but it sounds like he took our jobs.
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u/_Tar_Ar_Ais_ 8h ago
I do NOT want Iguodala
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u/TheAlmightyConch Spurs 8h ago
Even if the fate of the universe was on the line? the martians got the death beam pointed at earth you better hit it?
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u/ebbycalvinlaloosh 9h ago
As a Philadelphian I am unsurprised and embarrassed. AI has never deserved the hero worship off the court. He was then and is now, an asshole. Incredible athlete, but honestly, he played for himself and he’s another sixers star come and gone without a ring.
Thanks for posting this. It makes it easy to once and for all stop pretending he deserves accolades on his annual returns to the city.
Fuck ‘em
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u/bigbuddy1313 Pistons 10h ago
Allen Iverson has always been a selfish "me first" guy. I get people liked he was great while being small and that made him a fan favorite Once he lost his first step, his immature attitude became less forgiveable
I was a big AI fan until he got traded to my team late in his career. Now I just see him for what he is. A selfish dickwad. This behavior is entirely on brand.
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u/LaconicGirth 10h ago
What pissed me off about this whole story is that he doesn’t owe these kids anything. He chose of his own volition to get these kids hopes up, get them excited, make promises to them and then not follow through.
No one would care if he just didn’t do stuff like this. But he wants the good press associated with it and doesn’t want to do any of the work required
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u/FloggingJonna Thunder 11h ago
That checks with everything I know about post playing career AI. Probably pissed he has to be sober and only there because he needs the money. That said I don’t know anything about this other than it fits.
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u/KartFacedThaoDien West 11h ago
He's kinda always been an ass. I waited on him and Carmello in an OKC restaurant they shall not be named. They were both kinda assholes but Melo was nothing out of the ordinary shit you'd normally see. AI was over the top so the op is telling the truth.
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u/8-888-8888 11h ago
I was actually going to say that this story sounds like he was viciously hungover. I wouldn't be surprised if he was drinking again.
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u/Migosslav [TOR] DeMar DeRozan 10h ago edited 10h ago
Yeah my mate met him in Sydney and he wasn’t too happy about the experience
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u/LebrontosaurausRex Hawks 11h ago
Well, as a person in recovery, and someone that works in harm reduction and substance use.......not allowing the parents in and having a "bad day" is probably just not wanting to be made as high/drunk/hungover after he made his big declaration of being in recovery.
I mean I get it. I picked up 17 white chips in AA, and the recovery rate for substance use is in line with the management/recovery rates for hypertension and diabetes, cause it's so fucking hard to do.
But damn Chuck, I thought better of you. You've made so much fucking money that you shouldn't have to fuck over sick kids.
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u/VinnyOcean80 10h ago
Alcoholism should not be an excuse for every emotion or behavior. I know people with a lot of time , who do the steps, and who are still sick in the head. Just because someone is sober doesn’t make them a saint either. Some people just don’t give a mf
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u/Shaun_The_CHB 9h ago
He’s done a fabulous job over the many decades giving all his critics and doubters all the evidence they need to continue to discredit him and he has nobody to blame for that but himself. Iverson’s biggest problem has and always will be himself. He was once a mega talented player and was never truly respected because his critics always viewed him as a delinquent punk and a bad role model to kids. This behaviour here really just shows that the guy doesn’t care anymore about his fans or his legacy. He’s just after money, no matter how low he can stoop to get it. It’s really pathetic and plain sad to see what a joke he’s become. I feel sorry for those kids and their families who were excited to see him, they deserve better than a piece of trash like him.
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u/BitEnvironmental2213 8h ago
The craziest thing is that a group of sick children under 12 IN 2026 would be excited to meet AI.
In football terms, imagine if you are a Current 12 year old and your make a wish was to meet Shaun Alexander.
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u/Fcuk_Spez 10h ago
There’s no way Allen Iverson is the idol of a 12y/o kid in 2026
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u/MiamiPower Heat 8h ago
I know this story is so strange What 6 grader wants to a meet and greet with AI LOL
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u/turribledood 8h ago
Lmao Australia gets all the NBA games several years after we do in the US.
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u/shootthe3 10h ago
Not the first time I’ve heard him act this way at appearances. Usually he’d no show or cancel last minute. Sucks because that’s my favorite player ever.
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u/Tippacanoe Cavaliers 10h ago
Sadly I think he was probably drunk as fuck. Guy’s had a problem and decided to hide in the back instead of showing his face. Sorry that happened, hope he tries to make amends.
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u/Intelligent-Tie9461 10h ago
This is extremely disappointing. I know it’s a long flight and he likes the night life but man up and be available to help people struggling.
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u/ElBarto7_ 10h ago
You gotta lure Allen Iverson in with a TGI Fridays...
Sorry to the OP, hope your brother battles the shit out of his diagnosis, you and your family deserve better.
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u/BriCon1621 11h ago
If you google it, it is true reported from multiple sources