"Disgusted": NBA legend Allen Iverson’s Australian “No-Show” sparks fan outrage

Basketball fans across Australia are burning with disappointment after NBA legend Allen Iverson’s highly anticipated promotional tour was scrapped at the eleventh hour. The Hall of Famer was visiting Australia for two events, first The Allen Iverson Experience 2026 and second the HoopsFest Perth, a major NBL festival.

The 11-NBA All-Star was scheduled to appear at several high-profile events across Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, promising fans a rare opportunity to engage with one of the most influential figures in sports history. However, the sudden collapse of the tour has left ticket holders in a lurch and fueled their disappointment over the NBA MVP’s “no-show.”

Allen Iverson’s silent departure sparks fans' outrage

On January 22, Allen Iverson was to appear at a meet-and-greet in Melbourne, an event which was organised with Challenge-Supporting Kids with Cancer, a not-for-profit group.

The event saw thousands of fans turning up to meet the NBA star. Despite the promised personal interaction, photos, and signing, all the fans got was an unenthusiastic Iverson after he spend 2-hours locked in his room. He refused to speak with the kids and told the families he was having “a bad day.” A fan via Reddit shared, “Allen Iverson came to Cavalo Prestige Melbourne to meet 12 kids who are battling cancer. My little brother, who is 12 years old and currently receiving chemotherapy for ALCL lymphoma, was so excited to meet one of his idols.

He came out extremely disgusted and disappointed in Allen Iverson’s behaviour - and so were the other families.”

The frustration peaked the next day when fans arrived at scheduled venues only to find empty seats and canceled notices as Iverson didn’t show up at all. The situation gained significant traction on social media, particularly after a fans posted about their long-distance journey and big bucks spent for a mere glimpse of the superstar.

NBL veteran Jason Cadee calls out Allen Iverson

Jason Cadee via his podcast, Cut to the Jase, called out the NBA superstar and criticised his unprofessional behaviour. He said, “I landed Thursday (at HoopsFest) and by the time I landed, I had already heard how difficult he was being and how much of a shit show it was. Late to stuff, barely spoke, first interview they asked him how Australia was or something and he just laughed and said ‘I haven’t left my room’. Just things where I’m like ‘why would you come’ if you’re going to be like this.

”For the Australian basketball community, Iverson’s visit was to boost the local basketball programs, but instead, fans are now being directed to point-of-sale platforms to process their returns. Whether Iverson will eventually make his way Down Under to fulfill the promises made to his international fanbase remains unclear.