THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, May 2, 1996 TAG: 9605020589
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: FROM WIRE REPORTS
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium: 89 lines
Ever since he first set foot on the Georgetown basketball court, Allen Iverson dazzled Hoyas fans with his speed.
After announcing Wednesday that he would forgo his final two years of eligibility and enter the NBA draft, his swift departure put him in a separate class from other players during John Thompson's 24 years as head coach.
Under Thompson, 72 of 74 players who have stayed four years have received their degrees. Unlike previous Georgetown greats such as Patrick Ewing and Alonzo Mourning, Iverson found the temptation of an NBA contract too great to pass up.
``After carefully weighing my options with coach Thompson and my family, I've decided to enter the NBA,'' said Iverson, a former Bethel High School star, at a news conference. ``I definitely plan to further my education, but my family needs to be addressed right now.''
Iverson said those included the medical needs of his 4-year-old sister, Iiesha, whom he said was suffering from seizures, his 1-year-old daughter Tiaura ``and just help my mom along.''
``She raised me for 20 years and did the best she could,'' said Iverson, a first-team All-American who averaged 25 points, 4.7 assists and 3.4 rebounds last season. ``Now I just want an opportunity to do something for her, and my little sisters, and my daughter.''
Said Thompson: ``As I told Allen, when Patrick left here and Alonzo left here, it was too soon - and they stayed for four years. Any time that Allen Iverson left Georgetown, in my opinion it would be too soon.
``I have concerns about Allen's ability emotionally and psychologically to deal with the things the NBA relates to. In his basketball ability I have the ultimate amount of confidence. I'm scared . . . about the other 22 hours.''
Before the Big East tournament in March, Thompson said Iverson would leave only with his permission ``or he will go nowhere.'' On Wednesday, however, it was obvious the decision was Iverson's alone.
``I think it would be a little bit stupid of me to try to change a man who can think and make judgments,'' Thompson said.
Thompson bemoaned the fact that, under NCAA rules, he was powerless to do anything to help Iverson's sister.
``It's a frustrating thing,'' Thompson said. ``Even though we might have the best hospital around, you can't do anything about that.
``We have the most antiquated set of rules. They're almost prehistoric based on the times. If we don't look at it very clearly, there won't be one halfway sensible reason why kids will stay in school.''
As for losing his first early draftee, Thompson was philosophic.
``My reputation has never been important to me in anything that I did,'' he said. ``Doing that which is correct was more important to me.
``If you were ask me, `Should he stay here?' I would tell you absolutely yes. If you were ask me, `Did he make the right decision to leave?' I would tell you absolutely yes, based on the reasons he used to make that decision.''
Iverson's mother, Ann, said, ``I'm happy, and the things that he says makes me happy and I'm really grateful for John Thompson and his staff, because they stuck with me and inspired me, and they made my little boy a man.''
Ann Iverson said she would move to wherever her son is drafted. The lottery to determine the draft order for the 13 teams that did not make the NBA playoffs will be held on May 19. The NBA draft is June 26.
Iverson's newly acquired agent, David Falk, predicted Iverson would be a top-five pick.
Iverson's eligibility already had come into question because he has been driving a Mercedes-Benz on loan from a car dealership, a potential NCAA violation.
``When I was making my decision, I got the car and was testing it,'' Iverson said. ``There were some things that were happening with my sister and I needed it to get back and forth from here and home. I kept it a little longer.''
Iverson is tasting the good life less than 2 1/2 years after being granted conditional clemency and early release from prison for a felony conviction. Iverson received a five-year sentence for his alleged involvement in a bowling-alley brawl in his home town of Hampton in February 1993. The conviction was overturned on appeal last summer on grounds of insufficient evidence. MEMO: The Washington Post and Associated Press contributed to this report.
ILLUSTRATION: ASSOCIATED PRESS
Flanked by his mom Ann and coach John Thompson, Allen Iverson
announces he is leaving Georgetown after only two seasons to turn
pro.
by CNB