Allen Iverson is facing backlash after reportedly skipping a scheduled meet-and-greet with children battling cancer during a recent trip to Australia - and the criticism is coming loud and clear from a fellow former NBA player.
Andrew Bogut, the Australian big man who spent over a decade in the NBA and now serves as an assistant coach for the Sydney Kings in the NBL, didn’t mince words on social media. He called out Iverson directly, labeling him an “absolute sh** human” for allegedly failing to show up for the event and urged anyone connected to the affected families to reach out.
Absolute shit human.
— Andrew Bogut (@andrewbogut) January 27, 2026
No excuses for this.
If anyone knows this family pls reach out.https://t.co/xGJ9LO2z5w https://t.co/4tltd5oHyw
Bogut didn’t stop there. In a follow-up post, he suggested this kind of behavior from Iverson wasn’t exactly out of character, writing, “Current/former NBA player did a tour of Australia and treated people poorly and didn’t fulfill appointments and obligations. In other news, the sky is blue.”
He also issued a pointed warning to the National Basketball League about the risks of partnering with marquee names for promotional purposes. “Hopefully the @NBL learns from jumping on any big name that comes to Australia for a cash grab. This is not the first time,” he posted.
Current/former NBA player did a tour of Australia and treated people poorly and didn’t fulfill appointments and obligations.
— Andrew Bogut (@andrewbogut) January 27, 2026
In other news the sky is blue.
Bogut even amplified criticism from Australian sports media, reposting a tweet from Karl Beston - co-host of The Beston and Greenway Podcast - who took aim at local teams for bending over backwards to roll out the red carpet for visiting celebrities, even inventing holidays to do so.
Hopefully the @NBL learns from jumping on any big name that comes to Australia for a cash grab.
— Andrew Bogut (@andrewbogut) January 27, 2026
This is not the first time. https://t.co/zTqG06I6Vi
Iverson, of course, remains one of the most iconic and polarizing figures in NBA history. On the court, he was a generational talent - a fearless, undersized guard who redefined the position with his crossover, his scoring prowess, and his relentless toughness. Off the court, he was just as influential, becoming a cultural touchstone who challenged the league’s norms and helped shape the modern identity of the NBA.
In retirement, Iverson has largely been embraced by fans and the basketball community alike. His legacy as a trailblazer - both as a player and a personality - has only grown with time. But this latest controversy, especially involving children and a charitable event, has sparked a wave of disappointment and criticism, particularly in Australia, where fans had hoped to see a different side of the Hall of Famer.
As for Bogut, his comments reflect a protective stance over the integrity of Australian basketball and its fans. He’s clearly not afraid to speak up when he feels the game - or the people who support it - are being disrespected. And in this case, he’s drawing a hard line between star power and accountability.
✅✅✅✅✅✅ https://t.co/TF3CtZDfWM
— Andrew Bogut (@andrewbogut) January 27, 2026