Allen Iverson has never forgotten where he came from. The Hall of Famer makes it a point to ensure kids in the East End of Newport News have the resources they need while growing up. That’s why he’s been a dedicated supporter of the Boys & Girls Club—a place that shaped him long before he became “The Answer.” “It means everything to me,” he once said. “I’m from here. Obviously, I was one of these kids.”

Hal Smith, President and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Virginia Peninsula, has seen firsthand how the club helped mold Iverson into who he is today. “Allen grew up in this Boys and Girls Club. This is where he learned to play sports and learned to grow,” Smith said.

So it wasn’t surprising to see Iverson at the Norton Healthcare Sports and Learning Center in Louisville when the third annual Sneaker Ball was taking place. He took a break from his role as Reebok’s vice president for the basketball division and joined the event as the guest speaker. He shared stories of his youth, emphasizing how the Boys & Girls Club played a crucial role in keeping him on the right path.

“Where I grew up in the rough area that I grew up in, from the time that I got out of school, you know, to the time you, you know, go outside and play and get back into the house, so many things can happen, so many temptations,” said Iverson as per WLKY. “And the Boys and Girls Club was an outlet for me. You know what I mean? For that time, for me to do something positive.” It really meant a lot, given the kind of troubled childhood Iverson had.

Iverson grew up in Hampton, Virginia, surrounded by poverty and violence. “It was just tough. You know, just trying to stay out of trouble and just stay on a positive path. It seem like most of the negative things that were going on, in my neighborhood, was the right thing to do,” the 2001 NBA MVP had said in the 2014 documentary, Iverson. Worse is, Iverson did not even have the cozy corner called home to find solace. In fact, he could recall only terrible memories when it came to home.

“Growing up was hard, man. We had busted plumbing, so there was sewage sh*t floating around our floors. Sometimes we had no lights, because it was a question of food or the light bill, and my mom wasn’t about to let us go hungry,” Iverson was quoted as saying by Sports Casting. “So I’d hit the playground morning, noon, and night.” Meanwhile, growing up in a troubled locality meant picking up the wrong company.

Iverson had to pay the price of it quite heavily as he ended up in prison in 1993 after getting involved in a brawl. It never seemed that he was going to make himself stand. But then Georgetown University came to his rescue. This time Iverson did not squander the chance. He arguably became the best college basketball player in the country, averaging 23 points for two years. This eventually led the Philadelphia 76ers to draft him as the No. 1 pick in 1996. Eventually, that culminated in a 14-year-long Hall of Fame career. Going through all this, Iverson can not place more importance on giving back. Maybe that is what brings him back to such fundraiser events.

All proceeds from the Sneaker Ball will go toward supporting four traditional Boys & Girls Clubs in West Louisville and two new school-based sites at Breckinridge-Franklin and Engelhard Elementary. Last year, the Boys & Girls Club of Kentuckiana raised over $400,000. This year? The hope is to surpass that.

Allen Iverson’s giving spirit shines through Boys & Girls Clubs

A few months ago, in December, Allen Iverson made sure the kids in his hometown had a Christmas to remember. The Hall of Famer visited the local Boys & Girls Club in Newport News, personally donating toys and gifts to 50 children at the Club of Greater Hampton Roads. It wasn’t just a one-time gesture, though. Iverson grew up between the Greater Hampton Roads Club on Hampton Avenue and another club on Shell Road. So, every time he returns, it’s not just about giving back—it’s about coming home.

Back in 2018, Iverson took things even further. He didn’t just stop by—he unveiled a brand-new basketball court for the community. More than just a place to hoop, the state-of-the-art facility gave kids a safe space to grow, learn, and be surrounded by positive influences. “It just makes me feel so good about myself to be able to inspire,” Iverson said. “To be able to encourage these kids where I’m from and let them know that dreams do come true.”

CEO Hal Smith also addressed it, saying, “This gymnasium is an asset in the community. It’s what gets kids in the door… For a guy like Allen Iverson, it was to play in the NBA.”

And thanks to his long-standing partnership with Reebok, Iverson made sure the kids left with more than just memories. Reebok donated 150 pairs of shoes and backpacks filled with school supplies, thanks to contributions from local community partners. Every kid who showed up that day walked away with something special—just like Iverson intended.