Allen Iverson retired from the NBA last week after a 14-year career, but the former MVP has plans to stay busy now that his playing days are behind him. Iverson announced Wednesday that he will devote his time to helping out a local misfit basketball team.

“It was a hard decision for me and my family because I felt like I could still play in the NBA right now,” Iverson said. “But I still want to stay around the game and if these guys could use my help, then I’ll do what I can.”

Iverson didn’t know much about the Philadelphia 76ers basketball club before he was approached by team members over the weekend, but he was intrigued by suiting up to help raise funds for the failing team.

“We honestly didn’t expect much out of Iverson when we approached him with the idea,” said team dad and avid supporter Ed Stefanski. “I mean that’s AI we’re talking about and we’re just a small potatoes basketball program trying to stay alive.”

Area residents will be able to see Iverson for the first time on Monday as the struggling club will take on the NBA’s Denver Nuggets at the Wachovia Center.