Allen Iverson was always in the limelight during his NBA career because of his outspoken nature and “bad boy” media personality. He was an amazing basketball player who the NBA did not want to highlight. The reasons for this were his tattoos and flashy clothes, which according to the organization back then, promoted “hood” culture and was deemed extremely unprofessional.

Due to all the negative publicity he got during his prime, many don’t know the person Allen Iverson really was. In a recent interview, an NBA veteran and friend of A.I.’s talked about the NBA legend’s sense of humor.

NBA Veteran on “Jokester” Allen Iverson during teenage years

In a podcast episode of “djvlad”, Former NBA veteran Joe Smith recalls his high school playing days and when he first met Allen Iverson as a teenager.

The host asks the former NBA veteran, “Before that (College), you were actually playing Allen Iverson in AAU games.” Joe Smith smiles as he says, “Yeah…we grew up together on the court so. My first year in AAU I actually got cut. At about 13 years old, we started playing and it was an outdoor course for Boo Williams. And we both were on the travel team…and actually, we won the 17 and under national championship.”

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The host asks Joe Smith, “Do you have any crazy stories about Iverson from high school?” The former NBA veteran laughs loudly as he says, “He was just a jokester.” He further explains, “So I mean, on trips, we just really had to be aware of where he was at all times. On our road trips. Even in the locker rooms. You know, cause he would always like to come around and play jokes. So you always had to be aware of where he was.”

He then talks about how his town had a great high school basketball rivalry. So, since Iverson and he were in the same year, they faced off against each other in epic high school games. But he also mentions that their high school matchups only lasted until 17-year-old Iverson got involved in the bowling alley incident.

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Allen Iverson’s unfortunate incident before entering the NBA

In 1993, Allen Iverson was already making a name for himself as a high school basketball phenom. On Valentine’s Day, however, his life would be altered forever, when Allen Iverson and his friends visited a bowling alley in Hampton.

A brawl broke out at the alley and Iverson allegedly hit a lady in the head with a chair. He was convicted on a felony charge of “maiming-by-mob”, which allowed the officers to put him on trial in court as an adult. However, it was reportedly a fight over racial slurs being thrown at him and his friends by a Caucasian man.

The 17-year-old A.I. was sentenced to 15 years in jail on a charge of “maiming-by-mob” where no one was seriously injured. Also, none of the Caucasian men who were involved in the physical altercation with Iverson and his friends were charged with anything.

After spending 4 months at ‘Newport News City’ Farm, he was let off. The court could not find any decisive evidence against him, which majorly contributed to his release. Four years after this unfortunate incident, Allen Iverson entered the NBA and the rest is history.

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What are your thoughts on Joe Smith’s history and bond with Allen Iverson? Let us know in the comments below!