When Allen Iverson famously gave his Bentley to Larry Hughes, his rookie teammate on the Philadelphia 76ers, many took it as another example of the NBA legend’s extravagance.
Iverson was taking the league by storm back then with his unique style of play and his influence on the league’s culture, earning him fame and fortune. So, well aware of his superstar status, he had no problem gifting his rookie his $250,000 luxury car after the rookie expressed interest in it while they were walking through the players’ parking lot after practice.
Advertisement
“A Bentley, it’s nothing to me…But it’s funny, because it’s not like that for everyone. If you’re AI…It’s a Bentley. If you’re not? It’s a BENTLEY,” he wrote for the Players Tribune in 2018.
“He’s got this look….He’s in a Bentley Daze. Just looking at it…. and then looking at me…I don’t even hesitate. ‘Bro, you can have mine.’ I’ve never seen anyone so grateful.”
However, Hughes’ gratitude turned into skepticism after he took his Bentley out for a spin — a story that Iverson would never forget.
Advertisement
Hughes thought A.I. was hazing him
By the time Hughes was drafted, Iverson was already making millions in salary and endorsements. So, giving away his Bentley to Hughes did not affect him that much. Meanwhile, the rookie was elated.
“So he’s got the car going, he’s feeling himself, and now he’s probably thinking, Alright, I’m taking the long way home today,” Iverson said. “You’re driving that BENTLEY for the first time. And you’re not really trying to be on some HIGHWAY. You’re trying to be SEEN.”
Advertisement
However, the day after his first ride, Hughes didn’t seem to be happy. Apparently, he ran out of gas while driving somewhere in West Philadelphia, and he thought it was all part of Iverson’s plan as a form of good old-fashioned rookie hazing, which was still common back then.
“What you talkin’ bout, rookie hazing?” Iverson asked Hughes after his accusation.
“This is what Larry believes, to this day: That I’d given him my car like I knew it had no gas left in the tank — and then like I knew he wouldn’t be able to read a Bentley’s gas meter,” he said. “My guy spent almost half the night out there before he got himself saved.”
Advertisement
Iverson splurged on luxury cars
According to Iverson, his biggest purchase was a Rolls-Royce. He once saw former NBA player Derrick Coleman arrive at practice in one and immediately wanted it for himself.
Well, he certainly had the means to get one, having earned over $200 million during his 14-year Hall of Fame career. So he bought one and added it to his insane luxury car collection, which included Bentleys and a Mercedes-Maybach.
Advertisement
However, this extravagant spending would later backfire for Iverson. He was forced to declare for bankruptcy after his retirement — a result of his recklessness with money and his mistake of financially supporting too many people.
“I was out of control with it, man,” Iverson said. “And then I thought I was going to play forever, you know what I mean? And God put me in check. You know what I’m saying? That money got funny. You understand?”
Before “money got funny,” though, Hughes got to experience and enjoy a small part of Iverson’s fortune thanks to his gift.
Advertisement
It became an unforgettable moment in his rookie year — made even more memorable when he found himself stuck somewhere in West Philly with an empty tank in his new Bentley, convinced that The Answer had got him good.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on May 24, 2026, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.