HOUSTON — Everybody wants to know about Allen Iverson off the court.
Is he broke? Is he in trouble? Is his life spiraling out of control without basketball?
None of the above, says Iverson.
The 11-time All-Star guard was named Monday to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2016.
Iverson’s issues with wife Tawanna made national headlines when they divorced, she accused him of kidnapping their five children and charged him with owing millions of dollars in child support, among other allegations.
At the end of a wide-ranging 25-minute chat with Philly writers at the downtown Hyatt Monday, Iverson was asked how his personal life is this days.
“I think I’m so much more settled,” Iverson said. “I’ve been with the same woman for 25 years now. I’ve been through a divorce three years ago, we were back together not even a month after the divorce, and I had to realize, basically, she was trying to get my attention any way she could.
“She was at the end of the rope. ‘There’s nothing else I can do but show him how serious I am.’ So I’m so much more dedicated to my girl and I’m there for my kids more than I was ever there.”
Iverson blamed the NBA lifestyle for the his family issues and said that since his retirement he’s been able to become a better father.
“You know this lifestyle,” he said. “You’re never home. You never get a chance to be a 24/7 daddy, and now in my life I’m so happy and content with the fact that I can be there for my family like I’m supposed to be.
“I’m still there for my fans. I still do different events. I’m never going to take myself away from their lives, as far as my fans. But I’m just so much more of a family man. That’s how I want to be defined at this point in my life.”