Allen Iverson’s new book, “Misunderstood,” explains a lot even before Page 1. In case you were still wondering what it’s about, here: “You’re hearing it from the horse’s mouth.” AI has been vocal about his sobriety journey and how the “best decision” of his life was, in fact, the start of a domino effect, setting in motion everything positive that was waiting to happen. A name that recurs in the hoopster’s journey, however, is Tawanna Turner, despite their divorce.

AI was on the Breakfast Club and opened up about his ex-wife, Tawanna’s words, saying, “The crazy thing about it is, I’ve been with her for 35 years, and since I was 15, and the crazy part about it is, she said, when I told her I was stopping that, after that she prayed on it, and she said that was the only time that she ever prayed on it. Like I’d said it plenty of times in the past, and she said that was the only time she prayed on it, and I was authentic with it.”

The commitment to sobriety marked a cornerstone in Allen Iverson’s efforts to repair his personal relationships and better his overall well-being. Previously, he had reflected on a pivotal moment in 2013 when he hit rock bottom during his divorce.

“It was self-inflicted, but when Tawanna divorced me, that’s when I knew I hit my lowest point and it was time for some deep, self-re-evaluation,” he recently told Stephen A. Smith. He mentioned that seeing ‘Iverson vs. Iverson’ on the divorce papers really struck a nerve inside him.

This journey of reconciliation demanded tons of patience and humility from the 76ers legend, and he fought hard to demonstrate growth. “I had to convince her that, basically, this wasn’t the same old me. I expressed to her what she means to me in my life, and how pivotal she is in my growth and my maturation, and where I want to go in life. I don’t feel like I’m the same Allen Iverson without her, you know what I mean? She is my life,” Iverson said on First Take.

The hoopster, back in the day, was making headlines for all the wrong reasons. A pack of lawsuits, a divorce, and constant run-ins with David Stern, the NBA’s commissioner at the time… it wasn’t looking good. He turned his fortunes around, though, big time!

Allen Iverson Finds Life’s Biggest Victory in Family and Rekindled Love

Allen Iverson‘s journey to sobriety has been just as transformative as his killer crossovers on the hardwood. His decision to quit drinking helps him focus on what matters the most: his family. He and Tawanna have five children together: daughters Tiaura, Messiah, and Dream, as well as sons Allen II and Isaiah.

AI credited them with being a grounding force in his life, and, during his Hall of Fame Enshrinement speech in 2016, he said, “When I had hard losses, didn’t play well, you know, the media treating me like they did throughout my career, I always came home and forgot about all of that once I saw y’all. So, thanks for being my crutch, and I love y’all so much.”

A clip from Allen Iverson’s 50th birthday in June had us smiling after we all saw the NBA legend grooving with his former partner, Tawanna Turner. It was such a heartwarming video that ended up going viral, and it wasn’t the only one!

Ann, the hoopster’s mother, had a video series running on Instagram of the party night. From freaking out over fireworks coming out of the cake to giving her son custom-fitted hats bearing his chain logo with a Lids hat holder, the Iversons were having a ball. And in case you were wondering, yes, Tawanna was there too, basking in the family celebrations.