Sixers great Allen Iverson is among the eligible candidates for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2016.
The candidates were announced on Monday, the 124th anniversary of the invention of the game of basketball.
The Hall of Fame changed its rules, making players who have been fully retired for four years eligible. It had previously been five.
Iverson is a first-time candidate along with dominant big man Shaquille O'Neal and Houston Rockets center Yao Ming.
Former Sixers Maurice Cheeks and Bobby Jones were also among the nominees. Both were members of the 1983 NBA Championship team.
The Answer's resume includes a Rookie of the Year award and a 2001 MVP trophy. He was an 11-time All-Star and is 28th on the NBA's all-time scoring list.
Finalists will be announced at NBA All-Star Weekend in February in Toronto. The official Class of 2016 will be announced on April 4 at the Men’s NCAA Final Four in Houston.
