Iverson named Hall of Fame finalist

TORONTO -- Allen Iverson was selected Friday as a finalist for the Basketball Hall of Fame.

The former guard and Sixers legend was among 14 finalists named. The 2016 Hall of Fame inductees will be announced at the Final Four in Houston in April.

Two others with Philly-area ties were also finalists: Notre Dame women's coach Muffet McGraw, a St. Joseph's grad, and former Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan, of Chester.

Iverson was a nine-time all-star and perhaps the most popular Philadelphia sports figure in the last 25 years. He played with the Sixers from 1996 to 2006 and during the 2009-10 season. He also had stints with the Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, and Memphis Grizzlies during his NBA career. Iverson briefly played for Besiktas Milangaz of the Turkish Basketball League in 2010-11.

He is one of seven first-time finalists, joining Shaquille O'Neal, longtime referee Darell Garretson, Michigan State coach Tom Izzo, John McLendon (first African-American coach in a pro league), four-time WNBA Champion Sheryl Swoopes, and 10-time AAU national women's champ Wayland Baptist University.

Also named finalists were three-time NBA all-star Kevin Johnson and former college coaches Lefty Driesell and Eddie Sutton.

Follow and contact Inquirer 76ers beat writer Keith Pompey on Twitter @PompeyOnSixers and on Instagram at PompeyOnSixers