FOX 5 DC
“See you when I get there coach…”
That’s Allen Iverson‘s emotional message to John Thompson … after the Hall of Famer served as a pallbearer at the funeral for his legendary college coach.
Thompson — one of the greatest college basketball coaches of all-time — passed away Monday morning at the age of 78.
The list of NBA legends JT coached at Georgetown University is long … and former players — including A.I., Dikembe Mutombo, Alonzo Mourning and Patrick Ewing — took part in service at St. Augustine Church in D.C. … carrying Thompson’s casket during the touching ceremony.
Iverson and John had a special relationship … and A.I. even credited JT with “saving his life” after The Answer was accused of injuring people in a bowling alley brawl.
It’s not only GU hoopers who have sent love in the wake of Thompson’s passing … the NBA had a moment of silence for Big John before playoff games this week.
Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith also celebrated Thompson’s life on “Inside The NBA.”
Thompson — who coached GU from 1972 to 1999 — was the first Black head coach to win a major college championship when he led the Hoyas to an NCAA title in 1984.