Allen Iverson shares a deeply personal story about hitting rock bottom — and surprisingly, it wasn’t linked to basketball. On ESPN’s "First Take," Iverson opened up about the lowest moment of his life, revealing that it was a heartache far from the court. "It was a wound I caused myself," he told host Stephen A. Smith. "The hardest blow came when Tawanna divorced me."
Iverson married Tawanna Turner in 2001, during the rise of his basketball fame. Like Iverson’s career, their marriage went through highs and lows. The couple separated in 2008, with the divorce finalized in 2013 — a year that also marked the end of Iverson’s playing days. He officially retired that October, admitting he no longer had the passion to compete.
"That’s when I realized I had hit my absolute lowest point and needed some serious self-reflection," Iverson said. He recalled sitting in the courtroom struggling with the reality of the divorce papers. "At one moment, I was watching teams scrimmage against themselves — Sixers vs. Sixers, Georgetown vs. Georgetown — then I looked down at the document and all I saw was 'Iverson vs. Iverson.' That hit me hard."
In a twist many might find surprising, Iverson and Tawanna have since reunited. When asked how he managed to mend their relationship, he gave credit to music and persistence: "A lot of Keith Sweat. I really had to plead my case."
This pivotal period of reflection also led Iverson, now 50, to confront his struggles with alcohol. With his career over, the weight of personal challenges and past pains from his youth bore down heavily on him. "It was many things combined," he explained. "When you grow up and start thinking about what truly matters — your family, friends, and your role in the world — I had to ask myself if my drinking was helping me at all. The answer was no. It just dragged me down with bad experiences."
Iverson also recognizes his role as a trailblazer for young NBA stars today. "I know many look up to me and see how I paved the way for this new era," he reflected. "I helped a lot of players feel comfortable being themselves and expressing who they are. I’m thrilled with how our league has evolved and the growth of young talent. The future is bright, and we’ll never run out of superstars."
"The game is truly in excellent hands," he concluded.
But here’s where it gets controversial: What do you think — has Iverson’s personal journey and candidness about his struggles changed how we view athletes beyond their performances? Or should the focus remain strictly on their game? Let us know your thoughts.
