THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, June 3, 1994 TAG: 9406030905
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: 940603 LENGTH: Medium
The high school All-American basketball player who made national headlines following his conviction on three mob assault felony charges last summer signed a letter of intent with Georgetown University six weeks ago.
{REST} The signing was kept under wraps until Thursday by Iverson's attorney, Virginia Beach lawyer Tom Shuttleworth, and by Georgetown in hopes of keeping Iverson out of the spotlight until he finished work toward his high school diploma.
But with the possibility of the signing leaking out, the Iverson camp made it public knowledge.
Iverson could not be reached for comment and his attorney has advised he not talk directly with the media.
In a prepared statement through the Georgetown sports information office, Iverson said, ``I am grateful to my mother (Ann) for contacting coach (John) Thompson on my behalf. She has been my biggest supporter during my recent difficulties and saw Georgetown, under coach Thompson, as the best place for me to pursue my
education.''
Thompson, also in a prepared statement, said, ``Allen's mother approached me in early December and asked for my help. After many in-depth conversations, I was convinced that he should be given an opportunity to continue his education at Georgetown, provided he satisfactorily completes his high school educational requirements.
``The university has been true to its educational mission by considering this young man in spite of his recent troubles. It is now Allen's responsibility to make the most of this opportunity.''
Shuttleworth said Iverson intends to begin classes at Georgetown in late August.
Iverson must still achieve a minimum score of 700 on the Scholastic Assessment Test - he is awaiting scores from the latest test - and must achieve his diploma with a 2.0 core curriculum grade-point average to be eligible to play at Georgetown as a freshman.
Shuttleworth said there is no contingency plan should Iverson not qualify for freshman eligibility.
``That is an eventuality we haven't anticipated,'' Shuttleworth said. ``Obviously, there's a chance he wouldn't make the score on the SAT, but he's progressed so well in the classroom that we are anticipating him being eligible.''
Iverson, who was jailed in early September, was released in late December when he received clemency from outgoing Gov. L. Douglas Wilder.
Iverson was freed with the stipulations that he could not play organized basketball, must attend classes regularly and must abide to nightly curfews until the clemency agreement expires Aug. 23.
At that point, Iverson will be subject to conditions imposed by the parole board and the state's Department of Corrections.
Since his release from Newport News City Farm, Iverson has been attending an unnamed private school in the region while receiving intensive tutoring to make up for missing most of the first semester of his senior year. His counsel has refused to release the name of the school.
Boo Williams, director of the area's nationally prominent AAU basketball program, deflected questions Thursday on Iverson's status to Iverson's attorney and to Thompson.
But when asked how the Iverson camp kept the standout point guard's signing secret for so long, Williams said, ``That's not going to be the biggest accomplishment,'' indicating that Iverson would achieve the freshman eligibility standards despite earlier reports that he was below the standards entering his senior year.
As a junior, the 6-foot, 165-pound Iverson was a dazzling display of athleticism as he garnered The Associated Press player of the year awards in football and basketball while leading Bethel High to state championships in both sports. He averaged 31.6 points and 9.2 assists in basketball that season.
Prior to his junior year, Iverson teamed with current Maryland standout Joe Smith to lead the Boo Williams All-Stars to the 17-under 1992 AAU national championship, with the Boo Williams All-Stars beating a Charlotte-based team which included Jerry Stackhouse and Jeff Capel in the final. Iverson was named most valuable player of the tournament.
Ironically, the last player to lead a Boo Williams team to a national AAU title while being named tournament MVP also signed with Georgetown: Alonzo Mourning.
Shuttleworth also said Thursday that Iverson's clemency agreement could change when Iverson's case comes before an Intermediate Court of Appeals Monday in Richmond. Shuttleworth will argue to have an appellate court hear Iverson's case this summer.
Still, Iverson's athletic career came to a screeching stop in a Hampton courtroom at the end of last summer when he and three friends were found guilty of maiming by mob charges resulting from a free-for-all at a bowling alley on Feb. 14, 1993.
Iverson was originally sentenced to 15 years for the three convictions, 10 of those to be suspended, before receiving clemency.
by CNB