PHILADELPHIA 76'ERS ANNOUNCE THEY WILL RETIRE ALLEN IVERSON'S NO. 3 JERSEY

ALLEN IVERSON

Allen Iverson's killer crossover and slick scoring made his No. 3 jersey ubiquitous throughout eastern Pennsylvania in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Now, the Philadelphia 76ers will ensure one of their greatest players' number is on display in perpetuity.

Iverson's jersey and number will be retired March 1, 2014 by the 76ers, the team announced Wednesday. Iverson, who officially announced his retirement Oct. 30 in Philadelphia, will be the eighth Sixer's legend to have his jersey hung from the Wells Fargo Center rafters.

"Allen Iverson is, without question, one of the most iconic players to ever wear the Sixers uniform," Sixers CEO Scott O'Neil said in a news release. "Allen left everything out on the court and no one could ever question his heart – he was relentless, fearless and pound-for-pound, was one of the greatest to ever play the game."

Iverson, nicknamed "The Answer," was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft and played his first 10½ seasons with the franchise. He won NBA MVP in 2000-01, when he led Philadelphia to its first NBA Finals appearance since 1983. He went on to finish second in franchise history with 19,931 points and third with 4,385 assists.

The four-time NBA scoring champion was a fan favorite because of his amazing talent and unadulterated charisma. At times a lightning rod for controversy, Iverson may not have enjoyed practice, but his work ethic could not be questioned as he led the NBA in minutes per game seven times despite often being the smallest player on the court at 6-0, 165 pounds.

Iverson was traded by the 76ers in 2007 but never found a comfort zone with the Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons or Memphis Grizzlies. He returned to the 76ers in 2009 for 25 games, averaging 15.7 points a game as he closed his NBA career.

The Georgetown product tried to return to the league over the next three years but never caught on before announcing his retirement this season at 38.