Philadelphia 76ers Unveil Allen Iverson Statue Outside Team's Practice Facility: 'Such an Honor'

"It don’t even feel real,” Iverson said as the 76ers unveiled his statue alongside the likes of Wilt Chamberlain and Julius Erving

More than two decades after Allen Iverson’s famous 2002 “practice” speech, the Philadelphia 76ers legend was immortalized with a bronze statue outside the team’s practice facility in Camden, New Jersey.

“This is such an honor, man, and it don’t even feel real,” an emotional Iverson, 48, told the crowd at an unveiling ceremony on Friday, April 12, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer. “I don’t get nervous too much, but just seeing so many people in here that I love … just want to say all the right things and just want you all to know that I appreciate you all.”

The Inquirer reported that attendees at the unveiling included members of the 76ers’ 2001 team, Iverson’s family and friends as well as NFL Hall of Famer and former Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Terrell Owens and NBA All-Star Rasheed Wallace.

Related: Dwyane Wade Says Being First Hall-of-Famer Presented by Allen Iverson 'Means Everything' (Exclusive)

Iverson’s statue was made by sculptor Chad Fisher, according to NBC Sports. Other statues on the 76ers “Legends Walk” include Charles Barkley, Wilt Chamberlain, Julius Erving, Maurice Cheeks, Moses Malone, Billy Cunningham, Hal Greer, Bobby Jones and Dolph Schayes, per Yahoo! Sports.

“This is a moment I’ll never forget,” Iverson said about having his statue added alongside the legendary row of 76ers players, per NBC Sports. “I’ll cherish this moment for the rest of my life.”

Iverson is one of the most beloved players in 76ers history, winning the NBA Rookie of the Year award in 1997 and the league MVP award in 2001 – the same year he led the franchise to its last NBA Finals appearance. Nicknamed “The Answer,” Iverson’s colorful personality became as much a likable trait in gritty Philadelphia as his smooth play on the court, which led to 11 NBA All Star appearances throughout his 14-year career.

Related: Allen Iverson Calls Shaquille O’Neal the ‘Most Honest’ and ‘Funniest’ Person to Be Around (Exclusive)

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Iverson, who officially retiring from professional basketball in 2013, is No. 28 on the NBA's all-time scoring list with 24,368 points in 914 career games. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016.

“Just playing every game like it’s your last, that was always my motto,” Iverson said about his approach to basketball during his speech on Friday, according to NBC Sports.

“Regardless of the circumstances, if I’m hurt or whatever, if I’m on the court, there was no reason not for me to play that game like it’s my last. It’s not fair to myself, it’s not fair to God for giving me the talent. And I always felt like, ‘I’m going to play harder than anybody out here.'… I was going to play harder than anybody, night in and night out,” he continued.

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