A truly electrifying player with a flair for the sensational Allen Iverson was an 11-time NBA All-Star and four-time scoring champion. He was one of the most prolific scorers in NBA history despite his small stature (listed at 6 feet 165 lbs.). His regular-season career scoring average of 26.7 points per game ranks sixth all time and his playoff career average of 29.7 points is second only to Michael Jordan. Playing most of his career in Philadelphia with the team that drafted him #1 overall in 1996 "AI" was named Most Valuable Player in 2000–01 and led the 76ers to a berth in the 2001 NBA Finals that same season. He all but single-handedly beat the heavily-favored Lakers in Game 1 of that series with an epic 48-point performance highlighted by his famous cross-over three-pointer and step-over on Tyrone Lue in overtime. This lot offers a magnificent pair of Iverson signature model Reebok sneakers game-worn during his last full season with the Sixers in 2005-06. Photo research indicates that Iverson wore them towards the end of the regular season as they are photo/style matched to two Philly home games in April: 4/5/06 vs. Chicago and 4/10/06 vs. Washington. "The Answer" tallied 26 points both games dishing out 15 assists in the latter contest a 105-97 victory.

The mostly white leather 'Answer 9' shoes are the ninth edition of Iverson's signature models from Reebok. Equipped with Reebok's on/off valve Pump 2.0 system for a custom-inflatable fit the bulky Answer 9's--each shoe weighing 18.2 oz.--appear more suitable for an imposing post player than a little speedster like AI. One can imagine an astronaut on a mission to Mars sporting these futuristic kicks. The heels are stamped "IVERSON" and two Velcro straps over the laces stamped with his "AI" and "I-3" logos reveal "Only The Strong Survive" and his uniform number "3" when unfastened. Further protecting the white laces is a white elastic covering which makes re-lacing them quite a challenge. The insoles provide a medical chart full of the many injuries Iverson had suffered to that point of his career. The list literally starts all the way up at the toes with such obscure injuries as "Right Knee Hematoma Right Knee Synovitis Right Knee Lesion of the Trochlear Groove Right Elbow Contusion Left Shoulder Strain" etc. Fittingly his favorite phrase "Only The Strong Survive" is again stamped on the insole heel. Size 10.5 interior tagging also indicates "PYE SAMPLE" player-issued status. Iverson has signed each shoe on the lower strap in 8-9/10 black Sharpie. The pair shows solid game use with some light scuffing and contact marks. All structural elements are intact the only blemish being the outer lining of the left shoe's upper strap starting to separate (hardly worth mentioning).

These Iverson gamers come directly from the personal collection of former NBA player and longtime coach Henry Bibby an assistant for the 76ers from 2006-08. Can't beat that provenance! With "AI" about to be inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame this September what a great opportunity to own a special piece from one of basketball's most revered ballers in the modern game!

LOA from the Henry Bibby. Pre-certified by PSA/DNA (auto).