Kyrie Irving

 

Kyrie Andrew Irving (born March 23, 1992), nicknamed “Uncle Drew,” is an American professional basketball player for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Standing 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m) and weighing 195 pounds (88 kg), Irving plays point guard and shooting guard. He played one season of college basketball for the Duke Blue Devils before being selected first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2011 NBA Draft. 

 

Irving won an NBA championship with the Cavaliers in 2016, hitting the championship-winning three-pointer in Game 7 of the Finals. He is a nine-time NBA All-Star, three-time All-NBA Team selection, was named the 2012 NBA Rookie of the Year, and 2014 All-Star Game MVP. Irving won gold medals with Team USA at the 2014 FIBA World Cup (where he was named tournament MVP) and the 2016 Olympics.

 

Irving is currently expected to sit out the 2025-26 NBA season as he rehabs his ACL tear. He is expected to make a full return for the 2026-27 NBA season. 

Early Life 

High School Career

 

Irving was born in Melbourne, Australia. His father, Drederick Irving, played college basketball at Boston University and moved to Australia to play professionally. Irving’s mother died when he was four years old. The family relocated to the United States when Irving was two, settling in West Orange, New Jersey. Irving holds dual American and Australian citizenship.

 

Irving attended Montclair Kimberley Academy before transferring to St. Patrick High School in Elizabeth, New Jersey, for his final two years. As a senior in 2009-10, Irving averaged 24.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game. He was named New Jersey Player of the Year and was selected to play in the 2010 McDonald’s All-American Game, where he was named co-MVP with Harrison Barnes. He was ranked as the No. 2 overall recruit in the 2010 class. Irving committed to Duke University on October 22, 2009.

College Career

 

Irving played just 11 games during his freshman season at Duke due to a ligament injury in his right big toe. In those 11 games, he averaged 17.5 points, 4.3 assists, and 3.4 rebounds per game while shooting 52.9% from the field and 46.2% from three-point range. On December 1, 2010, against Michigan State, Irving scored 31 points. He returned for the NCAA Tournament, scoring a team-high 28 points in the Sweet 16 against Arizona. On April 20, 2011, Irving declared for the NBA Draft.

NBA Career

Cleveland Cavaliers (2011–2017)

 

Irving was selected first overall by Cleveland in the 2011 NBA Draft. He recorded 23 points and 11 assists in his debut, joining Oscar Robertson and Allen Iverson as the only players with at least 20 points and 10 assists in their debut. Irving was voted the 2011-12 NBA Rookie of the Year.

 

Irving made his first All-Star team in 2013 and was named the 2014 All-Star Game MVP after scoring 31 points with 14 assists. In 2014, LeBron James returned to Cleveland, and the Cavaliers became title contenders.

 

The 2016 NBA Finals proved historic. After falling behind 3-1 to Golden State, the Cavaliers rallied to tie the series. In Game 7 on June 19, 2016, with the score tied 89-89, Irving hit a clutch three-pointer over Stephen Curry with 53 seconds remaining. The shot gave Cleveland a lead they would not relinquish, and the Cavaliers won 93-89, delivering the city’s first major sports championship in 52 years. Irving averaged 27.1 points per game in the series.

 

After requesting a trade in 2017, Irving was dealt to Boston on August 22, 2017.

Boston Celtics (2017–2019)

 

Irving spent two seasons with Boston, making the All-Star team both years. In 2017-18, he averaged 24.4 points before a knee injury ended his season. In 2018-19, Irving averaged 23.8 points and 6.9 assists per game.

Brooklyn Nets (2019–2023)

 

Irving signed with Brooklyn as a free agent on July 7, 2019. His tenure with the Nets was marked by brilliance on the court and controversy off it. Irving’s decision not to get vaccinated for COVID-19 led him to miss most of the 2021-22 season due to New York City’s vaccine mandate. In October 2022, Irving promoted a documentary film containing antisemitic themes on social media, leading to widespread criticism and a suspension by the Nets. After requesting a trade, Irving was dealt to Dallas on February 6, 2023.

 

Dallas Mavericks (2023–present)

 

Irving was traded to the Mavericks in exchange for Dorian Finney-Smith, Spencer Dinwiddie, and multiple draft picks. He averaged 27.0 points per game in 20 games after the trade. On July 6, 2023, Irving re-signed with Dallas on a three-year, $126 million deal.

 

In 2023-24, Irving averaged 25.6 points, 5.2 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game and helped lead the Mavericks to the NBA Finals, where they lost to Boston 4-1.

 

The 2024-25 season was shaping up to be one of Irving’s best. Through 50 games, he averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists while shooting 47.3% from the field, 40.1% from three-point range, and 91.6% from the free-throw line. However, on March 3, 2025, Irving suffered a non-contact left knee injury while attempting to secure a long rebound. An MRI revealed a torn left ACL. Irving underwent reconstructive surgery on March 26, 2025.

 

Following the trades of Luka Dončić and Anthony Davis, Dallas pivoted toward rebuilding around rookie Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. On February 19, 2026, the Mavericks officially announced that Irving would not return during the 2025-26 season. “This decision wasn’t easy, but it’s the right one,” Irving said. “I am grateful for the Mavericks organization, my teammates and our fans for their continued support throughout the process. I am looking forward to coming back stronger next season.”

 

International Career

Irving was a member of the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup team that won gold in Spain. He averaged 12.1 points and 3.6 assists per game and was named tournament MVP. Irving won a second gold medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

 

Personal Life

 

Irving has a daughter, Azurie Elizabeth, born in 2015. Irving is a Muslim and has publicly fasted for Ramadan. His godfather is former NBA player Rod Strickland. Irving starred in a series of Pepsi Max commercials as “Uncle Drew,” an elderly streetball player character that led to a feature film released in 2018.

 

Playing Style and Legacy

 

Irving is widely regarded as perhaps the most skilled ball-handler ever, and he ranks among the best finishers in NBA history. His ability to create separation with dribble moves and finish with either hand makes him virtually unguardable in isolation situations. Irving’s clutch gene was immortalized by his championship-winning three-pointer in the 2016 Finals. For his career, Irving has averaged 23.7 points and 5.6 assists across 779 games while shooting 47.4% from the field, 39.4% from three-point range, and 88.8% from the free-throw line.

 

References

 

External Links

* Kyrie Irving on NBA.com

* Kyrie Irving on Basketball-Reference.com