Bryce Harper on his night with Philadelphia icons Eagles' Carson Wentz, Sixers' Allen Iverson

PHILADELPHIA – As if Bryce Harper needed any more "Welcome to Philadelphia" moments, there he was at the 76ers game Thursday night, sitting in a luxury box with his wife, Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz and his wife, and Phillies teammate Rhys Hoskins and his girlfriend.

Then he was seen in the tunnels of the Wells Fargo Center shaking hands with another famous No. 3 in Philadelphia, former Sixers star Allen Iverson.

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Harper, who has already endeared himself to Phillies fans with his bows in right field and hot start, was asked Friday before the Phillies played the Minnesota Twins what it was like to meet other Philadelphia icons in other sports.

"Absolute legend, in all of sports, not just in Philadelphia, all of sports," Harper said about Iverson. "So, very humbled to be able to shake his hand and all that because an incredible athlete, an incredible talent. Being able to sit up there with Carson, a lot of fun. Just to be able to hang out and talk shop, things like that. Just a good experience last night. I had a lot of fun and enjoyed it."

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Iverson, evidently, felt the same way about meeting Harper. He told NBC10 after the Sixers' 128-122 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks: “That was a bucket list event for me. Because I respect him. I love his talent. I love how cool he is. Special moment for me.”

Harper began the Sixers' game by ringing the bell at center court. He received a standing ovation from the crowd and waved to them, pumping his fists in the process.

Harper, meanwhile, has gotten to know Wentz through Wentz's friendship with South Jersey native Mike Trout, a perennial MVP candidate for the Los Angeles Angels and lifelong Eagles fan.

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In fact, after Harper signed a 13-year, $330 million contract with the Phillies one month ago, Harper said he'd start recruiting Trout to do the same when he was eligible for free agency after the 2020 season.

The Angels, alas, signed Trout to a 12-year contract worth nearly $430 million.

Harper was asked if he and Wentz talked about stardom in Philadelphia.

"No, not really," Harper said. "We just talked about other things. It didn’t really come to mind. I just asked how he was, how he was doing, how he was feeling, things like that. We talked about college, where he went to college, what teams he likes and rooted for. Just a great person, a great human being and great to be able to talk to him."

But mostly, Harper got to see the bright future for the Philadelphia professional teams led by their young stars like Joel Embiid with the Sixers, Wentz with the Eagles and Harper with the Phillies.

All are 26 years old or younger.

"Yeah, it could be fun," Harper said about the future. "You never know what’s going to happen, but it’s definitely bright if you look at it from afar, and you see guys like Joel and Carson and Rhys and this (Phillies) team as well. We’re a very young club and everyone is very excited about what’s to come. Just take it one game at a time and see what happens."

The Phillies, of course, entered their game Friday night at 4-1. Harper had reached base in his last eight plate appearances. Through five games, Harper is batting .500 with three homers and five RBIs.

The fans are showing their appreciation, both at Citizens Bank Park and wherever Harper goes.

"We’re starting off really hot," he said. "We gotta win every month. We're bound to lose one, and we’re bound to lose possibly 60 more. It’s part of the game. We just gotta keep playing, keep grinding, and do what we can."

Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter @Mfranknfl.