Allen Iverson's life has never been easy. He was born in Hampton, Virginia, in the southern United States, a place full of poverty, violence and racial discrimination. His mother, Anne, was only 15 when she became pregnant with him, and his father, Alan Broughton, soon abandoned them.

His stepfather, Michael Freeman, was a drug dealer who was often arrested by the police. Alan had to face hunger, cold and fear as a child. His childhood had no toys, no friends, only street fighting and escape.

However, Iverson also has his own dreams. He loved sports, especially basketball and American football. He has amazing speed, flexibility and explosiveness, he can shuttle like the wind on the basketball court and lightning on the football court.

He earned the respect of his peers and the admiration of his coaches with his talent and hard work. He hopes to one day become a professional athlete, escape poverty and misery, and give himself and his family a new life.

However, fate did not leave much of a chance for Iverson. When he was still a high school student, he encountered a disaster that changed his life. On February 14, 1993, Valentine's Day, Allen and some of his friends went to play at a bowling alley.

There were a lot of young people, white and black, and the atmosphere was tense and hostile. One of Allen's friends was being verbally abused and pushed by a group of white people, and Allen immediately came to his defense. Soon, a violent physical altercation ensued. In the confusion, Allen picked up a chair and threw it at a white woman.

The scene was captured on Bowling Alley surveillance video and was used as evidence by police to arrest Iverson and several of his friends. Because of Virginia's adult law at the time, Allen, although only 17, was charged as an adult and charged with "riot" and "malicious crime."

Prosecutors claimed it was a premeditated, racially motivated attack and asked for 15 years in prison for Allen.

Iverson couldn't believe he was in such trouble. He felt he was just protecting himself and his friends and didn't mean to hurt anyone.

He saw it as an unfair trial, discrimination and retaliation by whites against blacks. He felt hopeless and angry, and he felt that his dream was going to die.

But Iverson hasn't given up hope. He maintained his innocence and sought legal assistance. His mother Anne also campaigned and raised money for him, and even sold her rings and necklaces in order to hire a good lawyer for her son.

Iverson's story has also drawn attention and sympathy from the community, where many see him as a victim of injustice rather than a criminal. His high school principal, coaches, teachers and fellow students all testified that he was an excellent and promising student and athlete.

His fans and supporters have also held marches and petitions for him, asking the court to give him a fair sentence.

The day before Iverson was to be sentenced to prison, Virginia's governor, Douglas Wilder, made a surprising announcement. He decided to pardon Iverson and change his conviction to a "misdemeanor."

This means that Iverson will not have to go to jail, but will only have to receive community service and psychological counseling. The news made Iverson and his family ecstatic, and they felt it was a gift from God.

Iverson thanked all those who helped him, especially the governor, saying: "I will never forget your kindness to me, I will use my actions to prove that I am a good person, I will work hard to realize my dream."

Iverson was freed, but he paid a heavy price. He lost his chance to graduate from high school and lost many college scholarships. His reputation has also been tarnished, and many people still consider him a thug and a criminal.

His future is full of uncertainty and difficulty. But Iverson didn't give up on his dream. He decided to continue playing basketball and look for a college that would accept him.

After a lot of hard work and selection, he ended up at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., a school known for its basketball. It was there that he met a man who would change his life - John Thompson.