NBA legend Allen Iverson is facing harsh criticism in Australia after multiple families and organizations accused him of failing to attend scheduled appearances, including a charity event involving children fighting cancer.
The controversy began with a Reddit post on the r/NBA forum, which has more than 17 million members, that went viral detailing a meet-and-greet in Melbourne hosted by Cavalo Prestige in partnership with Challenge, a non-profit organization that supports children and families with cancer.
“Allen Iverson came to the Cavallo Honors in Melbourne to meet 12 kids who are battling cancer,” the post read. “My younger brother, who is 12 and currently undergoing chemotherapy for ALCL lymphoma, was so excited to meet one of his idols. He is absolutely disgusted and disappointed by Iverson's actions, as are the rest of the family.”
According to the post, Iverson spent several hours in a separate podcast room and never addressed the family directly, instead apologizing from his security detail.
“We were all told we could sit with him from 10:45 to 11:30 a.m., but that didn't happen,” the user wrote. “We were waiting in the room downstairs with his security and all the kids, and his security told us he was 'having a bad day' and didn't want to come out.”
The family was allegedly promised signed basketballs, jerseys and an opportunity to ask questions, but none of that materialized.
“After waiting for several hours, his security guard firmly told us that he had not signed anything at all,” the post continued. “We didn't get to talk to him and he didn't say a word to anyone.”
The Australian basketball legend took to social media to slam the former NBA star, calling him a piece of shit.
Challenge chief executive David Rogers later confirmed the organization's disappointment in a statement to Fox Sports Australia.
“Chalenchi is deeply disappointed with the meet and greet involving Allen Iverson,” Rogers said. “As an organization we were unable to take further steps to improve the experience, and despite working hard that day to address the challenging and at times disrespectful approach of the front office, we believe Iverson ultimately let down the children and families who came to meet him.”
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