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We're told after Allen Iverson walked out, that there was a change of heart and he did sign some people's merch, but not everyone's. And so Eli's sister Jada took to social media to express her disappointment in a post that's gone viral. “I just thought it was really not fair on the kids. You know, maybe he might be having a bad day, but those kids are having a bad time, like they're going through cancer.“
A viral Reddit post has detailed an unpleasant experience involving NBA legend Allen Iverson, with Challenge CEO stating he “let down children and families” during a meet-and-greet in Melbourne last week. The post, shared by user Fit-Tourist2852 on r/NBA - a subreddit with more than 17 million members - described an interaction with Iverson at an event hosted by Cavalo Prestige in Melbourne on Thursday, January 22. “Allen Iverson came to Cavalo Prestige Melbourne to meet 12 kids who are battling cancer,” the post read. “My little brother, who is 12 years old and currently receiving chemotherapy for ALCL lymphoma, was so excited to meet one of his idols. He came out extremely disgusted and disappointed in Allen Iverson’s behaviour - and so were the other families.”
“We were all told we would get to sit with him from 10:45 to 11:30am, and that did not happen,” the post stated. “We were waiting in a downstairs room with his security and all of the kids, and his security told us he was ‘having a bad day’ and didn’t want to come out.” The user also alleged parents were not allowed to be in the room during the interaction, before families were eventually escorted upstairs while Iverson completed a media interview. Families were reportedly promised signed basketballs, jerseys and an opportunity to ask questions - none of which occurred. “After waiting hours, his security firmly told us he is not signing anything at all,” the post continued. “We did not get to talk to him, and he did not say a word to anyone.”
Andrew Bogut: Absolute shit human. No excuses for this. If anyone knows this family pls reach out.
Fox Sports Australia spoke with Challenge CEO David Rogers, who provided a statement on the organisation’s experience. “Challenge was deeply disappointed with the meet and greet involving Allen Iverson,” Rogers said. “There was nothing further we could have done as an organisation to improve the experience and, despite working diligently on the day to manage a challenging and at times disrespectful approach from his management team, we believe Allen Iverson ultimately let down the children and families who came to meet him.”
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This incident comes to light just days after NBL legend Chris Anstey publicly expressed his disappointment following Allen Iverson’s failure to appear at a CreativeCubes.Co event in Melbourne on Friday, January 23. The free event was promoted as a guest speaking appearance by Iverson, with fans travelling interstate to attend the Melbourne-based function. However, more than two hours after the scheduled start time, Iverson cancelled his appearance. “So here in Melbourne for an Allen Iverson event - a really good-looking event up on the roof at CreativeCubes.Co, one of the South East Melbourne Phoenix sponsors,” Anstey said on social media. “Some great sponsors involved, people flying in from Sydney and coming from everywhere. Only one problem - Iverson didn’t turn up.”
The NBL itself has also reportedly been affected by what appears to be poor management by Iverson and his promoters. Reports by CODE Sports suggest Iverson was not fully co-operative with the league during HoopsFest in Perth. Iverson and his team were already planning an Australian tour, which the NBL looked to leverage by having the NBA legend promote HoopsFest. The partnership was announced in late November last year, but recent events suggest that even the league has not been immune to Iverson’s apparent lack of professionalism.
Andrew Bogut: Hopefully the @NBL learns from jumping on any big name that comes to Australia for a cash grab. This is not the first time.
"I landed Thursday afternoon before the game, and by the time I’d landed, I’d already heard how difficult he was being and how much of a sh*t show it was, heard how difficult he was. The staff barely spoke. First interview, they asked him how Australia was or something, and he just laughed — said, “I haven’t left my room.” Just things where I’m like, why would you come if you’re going to be like this? So first of all, he’s already come over, he’s in Perth. He’s probably never flown that far — but he’s late to things. He showed up to a couple of games for maybe 10 minutes, then just upped and left. Larry Kestelman, who’s in the building — he’s a billionaire — they have to do, the NBL almost from what I witnessed, basically sort out an agreement just to get a photo with Larry Kestelman. And I’m guessing Larry’s paying something for him to be there."
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"But then I remember speaking to a few players — I won’t mention who it was — but one of the imports was sitting there, and he’d kind of heard that already. "Man, I’m just disappointed. He’s a guy that we’ve all grown up loving." As I said, if you’re in that age bracket — and to hear that he’s just got no time for anyone, not really taking photos with anyone — "I just feel disappointed, like I’ve been let down. You want to hear these great things — AI’s out here, taking photos with people, all the players have been able to catch up with him…"
"Why would you come?" That's the question NBL legend Jason Cadee has asked 'The Answer' Allen Iverson after he ripped the NBA icon's efforts on his Australian tour, including as the special guest for HoopsFest. Iverson's tour of Australia was one filled with disappointment, leaving devoted fans and even children out of pocket hundreds of dollars for unattended events or commitments cut short without fulfilling what customers had paid for. Cadee called out the former NBA MVP on the latest edition of Cut to the Jase. "Allen Iverson wasn't brought to Australia by the NBL... there were things happening in Australia where he was coming across, the NBL get wind of it, they obviously figure out an agreement to get him to HoopsFest so he can play a part in that," he said. "I landed Thursday (at HoopsFest) and by the time I landed I had already heard how difficult he was being and how much of a shit show it was. Late to stuff, barely spoke, first interview they asked him how Australia was or something and he just laughed and said 'I haven't left my room'. "Just things where I'm like 'why would you come' if you're going to be like this.
What’s your take on all the Australian basketball talent currently pouring into the NBA? Jock Landale: I just think that there's so much talent coming through, and the opportunity to come and play in the NBA is something that people really strive for now and see as a possibility. 10-15 years ago when when there was one or two Australians in the NBA, you kind of looked at it as something that wasn't really achievable and now we've got, you know, 12 guys in at any one time, you realize, crap, we can I can go and do this if I really buckle in and go about my career the right way, continue to develop, and the thing that Aussies hang their hats on are really appreciated in the NBA. So now people more than ever really buy into that kind of picture of what we are, and there's always a place for that on any team.
New York Basketball: "When it happened…my wife & I went to Australia for UFC 312, Brooklyn, Puerto Vallarta, St Barts…I probably shouldn't have said all that 🤣 It's life, you keep moving forward…Life's short" – Mike Brown back in Sacramento where he was fired a year ago
"When it happened…my wife & I went to Australia for UFC 312, Brooklyn, Puerto Vallarta, St Barts…I probably shouldn't have said all that 🤣 It's life, you keep moving forward…Life's short"
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) January 14, 2026
– Mike Brown back in Sacramento where he was fired a year ago pic.twitter.com/96MEwA3fbx