Allen Iverson Reveals Jordan Brand Presented A Sneaker For Him

Former Philadelphia 76ers legend, Allen Iverson was almost “The Answer” to who was the first signature athlete who was signed to Jordan Brand, according to a recent episode of Sneaker Shopping.

According to Complex, Nike presented Iverson with the prototype of the “Bubba Chuck” basketball shoe to try to entice him to sign with Jordan Brand in 1996. Iverson reminisced about the meeting he had with Nike executives before he ended up signing with Reebok. On an episode of The Complex’s Sneakers Show back in 2021, Nike and Jordan Brand executive Gentry Humphrey divulged that the company showed “The Answer (Iverson’s nickname through his NBA career and name of his signature shoe from Reebok)” a model that was described as a cross between an Air Jordan 11 and a Zoom Flight 95.

Iverson was asked about that meeting and he verified that he did have a chance to sign with the sneaker giant.

“I remember that like it was yesterday. That was a big decision for me,” Iverson told Joe La Puma. “[Nike] had a shoe, but I was convinced when I went into a meeting with Reebok that that’s what I wanted to do. They were great salespeople. They made me comfortable about getting to where I’m at right now.”

His longstanding relationship with Reebok has been beneficial as he was appointed Vice President of Reebok Basketball.

Iverson is about to be honored, once again by the 76ers next month on April 12 when they announced that Iverson will have a sculpture of his likeness at an unveiling ceremony at Penn Medicine Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex. The sculpture of Iverson will be placed next to several other 76ers legends. Charles Barkley, Wilt Chamberlain, Maurice Cheeks, Billy Cunningham, Julius Erving, Hal Greer, Bobby Jones, Moses Malone, and Dolph Schayes have sculptures along the 76ers Legends Walk at the Penn Medicine Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex.

The 2001 NBA MVP took the 76ers to an NBA Finals in the same year he took home the MVP award. During his career with the franchise, he averaged 27.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 2.3 steals in 41.4 minutes per game.

Allen Iverson Reveals Jordan Brand Presented A Signature Sneaker Before He Signed With Reebok