National Basketball Association

Iverson wants to return to pro hoops

Published May. 24, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

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Allen Iverson said his hunger to play pro basketball still was very much alive after he made a triumphant return to Philadelphia's court in a Sixers jersey.

Iverson, who starred with the team for more than a decade after being picked first in the 1996 draft, received a standing ovation as he delivered the game ball before Game 6 of the Celtics-Sixers Eastern Conference semi-finals on Wednesday, which the hosts went on to win 82-75 to force a series decider in Boston.

While seated among the fans at Wells Fargo Center, Iverson said he was desperate to return to the game himself.

After his 2009 comeback with the Sixers petered out in a matter of months, the 2001 MVP last saw professional game time in Turkey before injury ended his spell with Besiktas in January last year.

Asked if he effectively was retired during a second-quarter interview with ESPN's Lisa Salters, Iverson replied, "I'm not using that word. I want to play basketball so bad."

The 11-time All-Star said he was open to all offers, while resigned to the fact he may not grace NBA courts again.

"The way it is right now, I've accepted the fact that [playing in the NBA again] might not happen, but I still want to play basketball," he said. "If I get an opportunity ... where it's going to make me happy at the end of my career, I'll take that opportunity. I just love to play and I want to have another opportunity to play on a professional level."
 

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