Andrew Bogut slams Allen Iverson for behavior during charity event in Austrailia

Allen Iverson is taking some heat after a recent visit to Austrailia in which he allegedly was scheduled to make multiple appearances at fan events. That included one claim from a Reddit user that the former NBA star was standoffish during a charity event for children battling cancer in Melbourne.

The post claimed that Iverson was scheduled to meet 12 kids at Cavalo Prestige in Melbourne on the morning of the event. He was expected to sign autographs and spend around an hour of his time with the children.

However, Iverson allegedly was an hour late after getting held up doing a podcast and did not apologize for his tardiness. The post also claimed that he did not sign any autographs and all the kids received from the visit was a picture where Iverson “had his hands in his pockets and did not smile or put his arm around any kids.”

Andrew Bogut, an Austrailian who played 14 seasons in the NBA, caught wind of the story and responded on social media. He did not hold back, calling out Iverson for his behavior.

“Current/former NBA player did a tour of Australia and treated people poorly and didn’t fulfill appointments and obligations,” Bogut wrote on X. “In other news the sky is blue. …Absolute sh*t human. No excuses for this. If anyone knows this family pls reach out.”

Challenge, the organizer of the charity event, told Front Office Sports that the organization “was deeply disappointed with the meet and greet involving Allen Iverson. There was nothing further we could have done as an organisation to improve the experience and, despite working diligently on the day to manage a challenging and at times disrespectful approach from his management team, we believe Allen Iverson ultimately let down the children and families who came to meet him.”

That was not the only event that Iverson’s behavior drew criticism from during his visit to Austrailia. He was also slated to be a headliner for HoopsFest, an event in Perth organized by the National Basketball League from Jan. 15-18.

However, NBL veteran Jason Cadee claimed that, much like Iverson’s trip to the charity event, the former NBA star was constantly late and didn’t engage much with the crowds. He called Iverson’s appearance a “sh*t show” on his podcast, Cut to the Jase.

“First interview they asked him how Australia was or something and he just laughed, said ‘I haven’t left my room,” Cadee said Monday. “I just felt it was really disappointing from someone that I really looked up to and I know a lot of people have.” 

Another NBL player, Chris Antsey, claimed that Iverson no-showed at another children’s event in Perth. Some of the kids in attendance allegedly flew from five hours away for the chance to see their idol and were left empty handed.

“Really good-looking event … Kids have flown in from Sydney, come from everywhere. Only one problem: Iverson didn’t turn up. Really really really disappointed for the kids including my young fellow who was reasonably distraught,” Anstey wrote Friday on Instagram.

The reports are certainly disappointing to hear for those who were fans of Iverson’s game. He is not the first former NBA player to make an appearance at an NBL event, but Cadee noted that others such as Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Garnett had a much more welcoming approach.

We’ll have to wait and see whether we get any sort of response from Iverson, who was allegedly supposed to be paid for appearances at all the events. But it’s clear many fans and Austrailians are upset with how he treated them during his time there.