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Allen Iverson Reacts to Naomi Osaka Honoring NBA Icon With US Open Outfit in Trending Video, Photos - bleacherreport.com
Entertainment and CultureBy Joseph Zucker9/1/20261 min read
Naomi Osaka's tribute to Allen Iverson caught the attention of the NBA legend.
✨ Key Highlights
- Naomi Osaka paid tribute to NBA legend Allen Iverson at the U.S. Open, warming up in a shooting sleeve, headband, and elbow pad that mimicked his signature on-court look.
- Iverson responded on Instagram, writing "Wow, what a honor!! BIG FAN can't wait to meet you," and expressing eagerness to meet the tennis star.
- Osaka also wore a T-shirt featuring Iverson's iconic 1999 Slam Magazine cover while speaking with reporters, describing him as a "trailblazer."
- She praised Iverson's influence on fashion, saying he shifted the way NBA players dress and that she admires his self-expression through style.
- Iverson is credited with influencing the NBA's stricter dress code introduced by commissioner David Stern in 2005, and his shooting sleeve—originally worn for an elbow issue—became a widely copied trend among young players.
- The tribute appeared to bring good fortune, as Osaka defeated Anastasia Zakharova in straight sets in the first round and is set to face Katerina Siniakova next.
Naomi Osaka's tribute to Allen Iverson caught the attention of the NBA legend.
"Wow, what a honor!! BIG FAN can't wait to meet you. @naomiosaka" he wrote on Instagram.
While warming up prior to her