Allen Iverson was in a sports league.
Allen Ezail Iverson ( born June 7 , 1975 ) is an American professional basketball player who played for 14 seasons in the National Basketball Association ( NBA ) . He was named the NBA Rookie of the Year in the 1996 -- 97 season . The National Basketball Association Most Valuable Player ( MVP ) is an annual National Basketball Association ( NBA ) award given since the 1955 -- 56 season to the best performing player of the regular season . The National Basketball Association 's Rookie of the Year Award is an annual National Basketball Association ( NBA ) award given to the top rookie ( s ) of the regular season .