Iverson plans to retire from the league, says analyst

NEW YORK (Reuters) - NBA All-Star guard Allen Iverson plans to retire from the league, according to a close friend and basketball analyst.

Stephen A. Smith, who worked as a sports journalist for the Philadelphia Inquirer when Iverson played for the Philadelphia 76ers, issued a statement from Iverson on his website (stephena.com) on Wednesday.

"I would like to announce my plans to retire from the National Basketball Association," Iverson was quoted as saying.

"I always thought that when I left the game, it would be because I couldn't help my team the way that I was accustomed to. However, that is not the case.

"I still have tremendous love for the game, the desire to play and a whole lot left in my tank. I feel strongly that I can still compete at the highest level."

One of the NBA's most prolific scorers, the 34-year-old played just three games for the Memphis Grizzlies this season before taking a personal leave of absence earlier this month.

He was released by the franchise 10 days later, on Nov 17.

Iverson, the NBA's Most Valuable Player in 2001, was with the Detroit Pistons last season before becoming a free agent.

He had previously played with the Philadelphia 76ers for 10 years before joining the Denver Nuggets during the 2006-07 season.

A four-time NBA scoring champion, Iverson has averaged 27 points and 3.7 rebounds in 889 games spread over 13 full seasons in the league for a career total of 24,020 points.

"Stepping away from the game will allow me to spend quality time with my wife and kids," he was quoted as saying on Smith's website.

"This is a reward that far exceeds anything that I've ever achieved on the basketball court. I have prayed for this day and I see it as my greatest gift. I have enjoyed 13 wonderful seasons in the NBA, and I am grateful."

(Writing by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles, editing by Greg Stutchbury)