CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – FEBRUARY 17: Allen Iverson responds to being introduced at halftime during the NBA All-Star game as part of the 2019 NBA All-Star Weekend at Spectrum Center on February 17, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Allen Iverson got emotional when autographing a photo of himself and late Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant.
During an event in Texas this past weekend, Philadelphia 76ers legend and Basketball Hall of Famer Allen Iverson was signing autographs.
During the event, Iverson met a young fan, who presented him with a poster featuring himself and Bryant. Iverson was overcome with emotion, asking the child if he had another copy of the image, while also giving him some advice.
You can take a look at the emotional interaction below:
Allen Iverson gets emotional at photo of himself and Kobe Bryant
Iverson and Bryant both entered the NBA in 1996 as draft prospects. Iverson was selected with the first-overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers, while Bryant was drafted No. 13 by the Lakers via a trade with the Charlotte Hornets. The two even faced off in the 2001 NBA Finals, where Bryant’s Lakers defeated Iverson’s 76ers in five games.
But as Iverson penned in his letter to Bryant in the Player’s Tribune on Aug. 24, 2020, he had deep admiration and respect for him.
It has been two years since the tragic passing of Bryant and his daughter Gianna. On Jan. 26, 2020, Bryant, Gianna and seven others were killed in a helicopter accident in Calabasas, Calif.
Last year, Bryant was posthumously inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
We recommend that you read Iverson’s letter to Bryant in the Player’s Tribune, linked above.