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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ALLEN IVERSON ROUNDBALL CLASSIC THIS INAUGURAL EVENT FEATURES 24 TOP NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL PLAYERS FROM THE CLASS OF 2017 Event set for April 19th-21st in Hampton Roads, VA

"Y'all have to show me the fool that says dreams don't come true. Because they do." -

Hampton Roads, VA – Always Impressive (A.I.) Enterprises presents the Inaugural Allen Iverson Roundball Classic, April 19th-21st, 2017 in Hampton Roads. Taking the game back to his roots, Iverson welcomes 24 of the nation’s top high school seniors to an unforgettable three-day event designed to drive brotherhood, leadership, and the true meaning of “PRACTICE” into these future superstars!

The classic tips off with a Three- Shootout and Contest at Iverson's alma mater, Bethel High School, Wednesday, April 19th in Hampton Roads. On Thursday, April 20th, Iverson will host an Awards Banquet and present the first recipient of the Allen Iverson National Player of the Year Award. The main event, the All-American game, commences April 21st at Churchland High School in Portsmouth.

“I believe that the Allen Iverson Roundball Classic will be a positive contribution to the rising youth in the world of !”, shares Iverson. As a 2016 inductee into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Iverson continues to be an exemplary role model to aspiring basketball stars around the world. This event will be unique as these talented young men will perform at their highest levels in front of Hall of Famer, Allen Iverson himself.

“This is unlike anything you have ever seen before, simply because it has a key element that no other event has ever had,” said Bobby Bates, C.E.O. of A.I. Enterprises, “and that’s Allen Iverson!”. No ICONIC athlete has ever made himself directly accessible to today's youth in a magnitude such as this. Like so many times in his stellar career, Allen is stepping outside the box and changing the culture of basketball.

Another Hampton Roads (757) professional athlete, Antoine Bethea and the Shutdown Academy understand the value that the Allen Iverson Roundball Classic brings to the local community and the sports world as a whole. All-Star level sponsor Bethea affirmed this is another opportunity to empower our youth.

### FACTS SHEET

About Allen Iverson Allen Iverson is a native of Hampton, . He attended Bethel High School, where he starred on the football and basketball teams, leading both to state championships. As a junior Allen was Parade 1st Team All American in basketball. Allen averaged 31.6 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds per game. That year he broke 's Virginia State High School single season scoring record while scoring 948 points. He then attended where he won The Big East Rookie of the Year Award in 1995. In his sophomore year, Allen had one of the greatest single seasons in history averaging 25 points, 3.4 steals, 4.7 assists, and 3.8 rebounds. In 1996, Allen entered the NBA draft where he was selected first overall by the . In the 1996-97 season Iverson was selected as the NBA's Rookie of the Year. In 2001 Allen captured the NBA MVP, honoring him as the greatest player in the world. Overall for Allen's career he was an 11-time NBA All-Star, 2-time NBA All-Star game MVP, 7-time All-NBA team, 4-time NBA scoring champion, and 3-time NBA steals leader. In 2014, the Philadelphia 76ers retired Allen's "3" to never be worn again. In 2016, as a first ballot Hall of Famer, Allen was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Allen is also devoted to the love of his life, Tawanna Iverson, and his five beautiful children: Tiaura, Allen Iverson II (Deuce), Isaiah, Messiah, and Dream.

About Always Impressive Enterprises Always Impressive (A.I.) Enterprises is a partnership founded by Allen Iverson, Bobby Bates, and Michael Bailey. The Allen Iverson Roundball Classic is the property of A.I. Enterprises, a full service sports venture.

About Antoine Bethea Antoine Bethea is a current professional football player for the . He was drafted in 2006 out of . During the 2006 NFL season, Antoine won the with the . He has been a part of 3 NFL Pro Bowls. Over his career Antoine has been considered one of the most feared safeties in the NFL.

About Shutdown Academy Shutdown Academy is a partnership between Antoine Bethea and Elton Brown to benefit both boys and girls in the Hampton and Newport News (757) communities. The Academy provides football and cheerleading programs as well as mentoring, tutoring, and community service for the youth. . About Slam Slam magazine is the world's premier basketball publication, it has been in circulation since 1994. Since its inception; Slam has produced over 200 issues and has cornered the online media market with Slamonline.com.

About Belton Ideas Belton Ideas is a multimedia & marketing firm founded by two-time Emmy Award Winner, Lamont L. Belton. Specialties include brand management, marketing, film making & production of original content. Clients have included ABC, CBS, Ketchum, Lincoln Motors, Motown, and Burson-Marsteller to name just a few.

Other Sponsors and Contributors: The Rock: the world's premier basketball, , Crossover Promotions, Nexxt Level U Basketball Training & Events, Popoola Rating and Development, Inside Streetball, Underdogs Training, AGame Sportswear, Bryan Heron, Café 111, and STATVA..

For more information please contact: Bobby Bates, C.E.O. [email protected]

www.alleniversonroundballclassic.com Instagram: @iversonclassic : @iversonclassic Facebook: AllenIversonRoundballClassic 2017 Allen Iverson Roundball Classic Player Rosters Team Honor

Name Ht/Wt Position High School City/State College Savion Flagg 6'7 200lb SF Alvin H.S. Alvin, TX A&M Jeremiah Tilmon 6'10 240lb C E. St Louis Sr. H.S. East St Louis, IL Kris Wilkes 6'8 195lb SF N. Central H.S. Indianapolis, IN UCLA Jalek Felton 6'3 185lb CG Gray Col Academy W. Columbia, SC Makai Ashton-Langford 6'2 185lb PG Brewster Academy Wolfeboro, NH UConn Keith Williams 6'6 195lb SF Bp. Loughlin Mem H.S. Brooklyn, NY Cinncinnati Daniel Gafford 6'10 220lb C El Dorado H.S. El Dorado, AR Arkansas Chaundee Brown 6'5 205lb SG The First Academy Orlando, FL Wake Forest Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree 6'9 220lb PF Neumann-Goretti H.S. Philadelphia, PA Villanova MJ Walker 6'5 210lb SG Jonesboro H.S. Jonesboro, GA Uncommited Nick Weatherspoon 6'2 180lb PG Velma Jackson H.S. Camden, MI State PJ 6'9 230lb PF Findlay Prep Henderson, NV

Team Loyalty

Name Ht/Wt Position High School City/State College Gary Trent Jr 6'6 210lb SG Prolific Prep Napa, CA Duke Cody Riley 6'8 240lb PF Sierra Canyon H.S .Chatsworth, CA UCLA Jarred Vanderbilt 6'9 215lb PF Victory Prep Houston, TX Kentucky Paul Scruggs 6'4 200lb PG Prolific Prep Napa, CA Xavier DJ Harvey 6'6 205lb SF DeMatha Catholic H.S. Hyattsville, MD Notre Dame Josh Anderson 6'5 180lb CG Madison Prep Academy Baton Rouge, LA Western Kentucky Chris Lykes 5'8 155lb PG Gonzaga College H.S. Washington, DC Miami 6'2 170lb PG Norman North H.S. Norman, OK Oklahoma Dajour Dickens 6'11 215lb C Bethel H.S. Hampton, VA Providence Rayshaun Hammonds 6'8 220lb CF Norcross H.S. Norcross, GA Brandon McCoy 6'11 240lb C Cathedral Catholic H.S. San Diego, CA Uncommited Jay Jay Chandler 6'4 185lb CG Cinco Ranch H.S. Katy, TX Texas A&M Daejon Davis "INJURED" 6'4 175lb CG Garfield H.S. Seattle, WA Washington

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