Kasich: ‘I’d love to have’ Allen Iverson in Cleveland

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Gov. John Kasich (R-Ohio) said on Tuesday that he supports the Cleveland Cavaliers signing retired NBA guard Allen Iverson.

“That’s been a rumor,” the presidential candidate said when asked by TMZ about the former professional basketball player.

{mosads}“I’d love to have Iverson back in Cleveland,” he said. “Are they talking about it?

“Wow, A.I.,” the 2016 GOP presidential candidate added. “I’m for it.”

Kasich also praised LeBron James, the Cavaliers’ current hoop star.

“He’s right up there,” he said when asked if the NBA forward is a “savior” of Ohio.

TMZ said on Tuesday that rumors have repeatedly circulated that Iverson is interested in playing for the Cavaliers next season.

Iverson initially retired from the NBA in October 2013 following 14 seasons in the professional basketball league.

He was selected as an NBA All-Star 11 times and won its MVP award during the 2001 season.

Iverson, now 40, most notably played for the Philadelphia 76ers but also had stints as a Denver Nugget, a Detroit Piston and a Memphis Grizzly.

Kasich’s endorsement comes as he struggles for his own success in the GOP’s crowded 2016 field.

The Ohio governor presently ranks seventh out of 15 Republican White House hopefuls across multiple national polls.

Kasich currently receives 3.2 percent voter support, according to the latest RealClearPolitics average of samplings.

Tags 2016 Allen Iverson Athletics Basketball campaigns celebrities Cleveland D.C. GOP John Kasich Lebron James National Basketball Association NBA Ohio Politics Presidential Race Republicans Sports United States Washington Washington D.C. White House

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