Photo Credit: NBAE via Getty Images

Kyle Korver Reveals How Allen Iverson Mentored Him Into Becoming A Better Player: “Why Would I Pass To You?!”

Kyle Korver is one of the greatest three-point shooters the league has ever seen, not least because of his efficiency. Korver also is considered to be one of the smartest players in the league with great decision making.

On draft day in 2003 – the infamous LeBron, Melo, Wade and Bosh class – Kyle Korver was picked with the 53rd pick in the draft by the New Jersey Nets, who immediately traded his rights to the Sixers for $125,000 cash to cover their Summer League entry fee. 

In Philadelphia, rookie Korver had the privilege to play with Allen Iverson, one of the most iconic players in NBA history.

What isn’t a commonly know fact, or something that is widely spread is the fact that Iverson was a great mentor for young players.

Korver just recently spoke about how Iverson helped him when he came into the league, revealing that AI’s encouragement was siginifcant for him.

Per Bleacher Report:

“It was significant for me. Coming onto the team as a 2nd-round pick, confidence is the biggest factor in whether you’re gonna make it or not. You need someone to believe in you. That’s what he was for me. He was always in my ear telling me to shoot the ball. We didn’t have a lot of shooters on the team. If you couldn’t make it when he passed it to you, he was like “why would I pass it to you? I’ll just shoot it myself.” He was always looking for me. His encouragement and how much he helped me, I cannot state how important that was for me as a young player.”