One of the most iconic images of the NBA in the 1990s was the rookie class photo of the epic 1996 draft class. A cover photo of SLAM Magazine featured the likes of Kobe Bryant, Ray Allen, Steve Nash, and Stephon Marbury, to name a few, in a picture that would end up being a timeless representation of one of the most talent-packed draft classes in the history of the league. However, there was one man missing: Sixers legend Allen Iverson.
The Philadelphia 76ers selected Iverson first overall in that draft, and while the other top picks were all present during the photoshoot, AI was a notable absentee. More than two decades later, Iverson himself came clean as to why he missed that historic moment (h/t Bleacher Report on Twitter):
"I don't know how I missed it." 😅@alleniverson reflects on missing the iconic 1996 NBA draft photo
(via @NBATV)pic.twitter.com/kJgRG6q10C
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 12, 2021
According to Allen Iverson, he still has no clue as to why he was unable to attend the shoot:
“I wanted to always clear that up but I never had the platform to do that, so thank you,” Iverson said. “I don't know. I don't know where I was. I don't know how I missed it. I don't remember. Being that young and not as mature as I am now or should have been, I might have blew it off. I don't know.”
That's classic Allen Iverson right there. 25 years on and he still has no idea as to why he missed that iconic photoshoot. This is exactly the reason why Iverson is such a well-loved figure in the NBA from his time as a superstar on the basketball court to this very day.
To be fair, Iverson did not know at that time that that picture was going to have such a significant impact many years later. He was on top of the world at that point in time after being selected first overall by the Sixers. It wouldn't be surprising if he was out celebrating when he decided to blow off the shoot.
This is so awesomely on-brand for AI.
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