In a dream meeting for one of Australian basketball's biggest stars, former Perth Wildcats champion Bryce Cotton finally came face-to-face with his lifelong idol, NBA Hall of Famer Allen Iverson. The poignant encounter took place in Perth on Saturday, 17 January 2026, as part of the HoopsFest event.
A Dream Meeting Decades in the Making
For Cotton, the meeting was the realisation of a childhood fantasy. The 11-time NBA All-Star and former MVP had been his hero since the fourth grade. "I was excited," Cotton admitted. "I didn't believe it at first. I wanted to wait a few more weeks to be sure he was actually coming." Cotton had circled the date ever since Iverson was announced as a major drawcard for the festival, confessing that everyone close to him knew just how much the Philadelphia 76ers legend meant to him.
Wisdom from a Legend: 'Enjoy the Moment'
When the pair finally met, the conversation was less about basketball technique and more about life perspective. Iverson, knowing Cotton's decorated career which includes multiple NBL MVP awards, offered a simple but profound piece of advice ahead of Cotton's game with the Adelaide 36ers on Sunday. "It's a good thing I don't have to tell you nothing to keep going," Iverson said. "The only advice I have for you is to enjoy the moment. Don't take it for granted because it goes by so fast."
Reflecting on his own iconic career, Iverson expressed how meetings like this define his legacy. "Meeting you is everything that I wanted to do with my career; to get a chance to give your stories to people is everything," he told Cotton. He also paid tribute to Cotton's own achievements, stating, "To be the five times MVP, I don't care if you're in the YMCA, bruh, you're making it do what it do."
A Full Circle Moment and Future Plans
For Cotton, the experience was profoundly moving. "It's a full circle moment, to finally meet you, it's been a long time coming, and I'm definitely grateful for this," he told Iverson. He recalled trying to copy everything Iverson did on the court as a young fan. The former Wildcats star, now with the Adelaide 36ers, also hinted that retirement is not on his immediate horizon. "I'm trying to make this ride last as long as possible because when this ball runs out of air I want to have a lot of stories to tell," Cotton said, emphasising his love for the game remains undimmed.
The meeting between the American basketball icon and the Australian league superstar provided a memorable highlight for fans at HoopsFest, illustrating the global reach and inspirational power of the sport.
