How Iverson nearly answered Sydney's call

In just over one week, NBA icon Allen "The Answer" Iverson will arrive on Australian shores and experience everything that basketball has to offer during the second ever HoopsFest in Perth.

While this will be the first time the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee would have experienced the NBL and WNBL firsthand, a report by CODE Sports reveals the 2001 NBA MVP nearly suited up in this country 16 years ago.

Following stints with NBA franchises Philadelphia, Denver, Detroit and Memphis, the Olympic bronze medallist headed to Turkey for a stint with Besiktas in 2010.

It was during this time that then Sydney Kings court announcer Rodney Overby, who has a relationship with Iverson, reached out to the 11-time NBA All Star.

“Allen was that dude with swagger and game, O was that dude that spread that name and fame. That combo in Oz would’ve been insane. I would have hosted him and having a pair of pro black movers and shakers could have been extremely successful," Overby said to CODE Sports.

It was not just a pie in the sky idea from the Harbour City club either, with the now 50 year old expressing interest in playing in the NBL.

“I hear Sydney is a real good city to live in,” Iverson tweeted in 2010.

“My boy Rodney O asked me to come over. I am comin!”

Ultimately, the move to Sydney didn't eventuate with Kings general manager Bob Turner saying the move would have put 'the club on the map quickly' but 'would have sunk them financially'.

One who knows the impact that Iverson will have, who played alongside Iverson in Turkey was 218-game NBL veteran AJ Ogilvy.

“There was so much hype around him coming in, the team printed masks for everyone to hold in front of their face for the first home game and put one on every seat,” Ogilvy said to CODE Sports.

“While he was there, he was such a great asset for us."

Iverson will be at Perth's HoopsFest from January 15 to 18, taking part in numerous events.

Tickets are still available for Australasia’s biggest basketball, culture and lifestyle festival. Find out more here.

Read the full story here >> ‘It would’ve sunk us’: The secret story of Allen Iverson’s failed NBL move