bjtheman1
Bench Warmer
PHILADELPHIA (AP)—Former NBA most valuable player Allen Iverson(notes) is in “serious talks” to play with a Turkish team.
Gary Moore, Iverson’s personal manager, says there is strong interest in both sides to work out a deal that would send the 11-time All-Star overseas. Iverson is negotiating with Besiktas Cola Turka for at least a one-year deal.
“This team seems very interested in having him come play,” Moore said by phone. “Allen absolutely wants to play basketball. He has no hesitation going there if that’s the best opportunity for him.”
Iverson is 17th on the NBA’s career scoring list with 24,368 points over a 14-year career with Philadelphia, Denver, Detroit and Memphis. He won the MVP in 2001 when he led the Sixers to the finals.
Iverson’s agent, Leon Rose, did not immediately return messages for comment on Monday.
Iverson had been negotiating with a team in China. Moore said those talks aren’t dead, but Turkey may be the best option with Besiktas about to start its season. Moore said he has yet to hear from an NBA team.
“He wants to play there again, hopefully,” Moore said.
Iverson played three games for Memphis last season before he returned for a second stint with the Philadelphia 76ers. He averaged 13.9 points for the Sixers before he took a leave of absence in March because of family issues.
The 35-year-old Iverson was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1996 draft and spent his first 10 seasons in Philadelphia. He was a four-time scoring champion, averaged 26.7 points and never won a championship.
“Anyone that can appreciate, the game can appreciate, the talents of Allen Iverson,” Moore said.
Gary Moore, Iverson’s personal manager, says there is strong interest in both sides to work out a deal that would send the 11-time All-Star overseas. Iverson is negotiating with Besiktas Cola Turka for at least a one-year deal.
“This team seems very interested in having him come play,” Moore said by phone. “Allen absolutely wants to play basketball. He has no hesitation going there if that’s the best opportunity for him.”
Iverson is 17th on the NBA’s career scoring list with 24,368 points over a 14-year career with Philadelphia, Denver, Detroit and Memphis. He won the MVP in 2001 when he led the Sixers to the finals.
Iverson’s agent, Leon Rose, did not immediately return messages for comment on Monday.
Iverson had been negotiating with a team in China. Moore said those talks aren’t dead, but Turkey may be the best option with Besiktas about to start its season. Moore said he has yet to hear from an NBA team.
“He wants to play there again, hopefully,” Moore said.
Iverson played three games for Memphis last season before he returned for a second stint with the Philadelphia 76ers. He averaged 13.9 points for the Sixers before he took a leave of absence in March because of family issues.
The 35-year-old Iverson was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1996 draft and spent his first 10 seasons in Philadelphia. He was a four-time scoring champion, averaged 26.7 points and never won a championship.
“Anyone that can appreciate, the game can appreciate, the talents of Allen Iverson,” Moore said.
