Allen Iverson eligible for 2016 Basketball Hall of Fame

Retired Philadelphia 76ers superstar Allen Iverson will reportedly be eligible for the Basketball Hall of Fame's 2016 class.The last time Iverson suited up in the NBA was the 2009-10 season, when he returned to Philadelphia for 25 games after several years in Denver and brief stints in Detroit and Memphis. Hall of Fame candidates have to be retired for five full years before they can be enshrined.

He only officially retired in October 2013, but since Iverson has been removed from the NBA long enough, Saturday's news has him on an expedited track to Springfield, Massachusetts.

Iverson won the league MVP award in 2001 when he averaged 31.1 points and then put up 32.9 points per contest in the playoffs, guiding the Sixers to the NBA Finals. Although the team lost to the Los Angeles Lakers, Iverson helped his underdog squad steal Game 1 with 48 points. His performance was highlighted by an iconic moment in which he stepped over Los Angeles Lakers point guard Tyronn Lue after hitting a key jump shot in overtime.

Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James has spoken of how he idolized Iverson before making his own mark in the Association, comparing Iverson's impact to that of Michael Jordan's.

"Pound-for-pound, probably the greatest player who ever played. He was one of the greatest finishers we've ever seen. You could never question his heart. Ever. He gave it his all. A.I. was like my second-favorite player growing up, after MJ." said James of Iverson."