Iverson’s influence echoes through the NBL

Since the announcement that Allen Iverson would be heading to Perth for HoopsFest, a consistent message has echoed across the NBL: he is the hero many players grew up idolising.

Despite being celebrities in their own right, several NBL players have found themselves genuinely star-struck by Iverson’s presence in Australia, while fans continue to soak in the rare opportunity to see one of the NBA’s most influential figures up close.

For Iverson, the admiration is something he does not take lightly, describing it as “an honour”, as he leans into the opportunity to inspire and mentor the next generation of basketballers.

Among those who have never hidden their appreciation for ‘The Answer’ is five-time NBL MVP Bryce Cotton.

"It never gets old to hear younger guys talking about the impact that I had on their lives and their games. It’s a blessing,” the former NBA MVP said on Thursday.

"I remember when I was that guy and the way I felt about Mike (Michael Jordan), you know what I mean, how I really wanted to be like Mike and what he meant to me and how instrumental he was to my development as a basketball player.

"The world wouldn’t know Allen Iverson if it wasn’t for Michael Jordan giving me that vision of wanting to be a basketball player.

"So to hear that somebody (Cotton) took a lot from my game, it’s a blessing. It’s an honour to be able to impact someone’s game that has so much success.

"It makes me feel like I did something right in my career."

Iverson said he has immense respect for what Cotton has achieved during his decorated NBL career.

“Five-time MVP, I don’t care what league you’re in, that’s definitely impressive,” he said.

“Obviously he has a lot of confidence in himself. The coaches have confidence in him to put him in positions to succeed. His teammates … they have to be extremely great and supportive of everything he does out there.

“Teamwork makes the dream work. So it’s great to see him have that success and his teammates do everything they can to help him be successful.

“I’m definitely looking forward to meeting him and chopping it up with him a little bit.”

Cotton will now have the chance to not only meet his idol, but also take the floor in front of the Hall-of-Famer at RAC Arena.

“I didn’t believe it at first. I wanted to wait a few more weeks to be sure he was actually coming,” the Adelaide 36ers star said.

“Everyone knows how I feel about him, so it’ll be really cool to meet him in person.”

Iverson will be in attendance at several games across the HoopsFest weekend, culminating in a top-of-the-table clash between Cotton’s 36ers and the South East Melbourne Phoenix.