Kyrie Irving (Part 1)

Kyrie Andrew Irving, born on March 23, 1992, is a prominent figure in the National Basketball Association (NBA), known for his exceptional skills on the court as well as his off-court interests and controversies.
Irving's NBA journey began when he was selected as the first overall pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2011 NBA draft. He quickly made his mark, earning the Rookie of the Year award in his debut season. Throughout his career, Irving has been an eight-time All-Star and a three-time member of the All-NBA Team. His crowning achievement came in 2016 when he helped lead the Cavaliers to an NBA championship, making a memorable championship-winning three-point shot in the Finals.
Before joining the NBA, Irving played college basketball for the Duke Blue Devils, where he showcased his exceptional talent and earned recognition as one of the top prospects in the draft.


Irving's career took him to several teams, including the Boston Celtics and the Brooklyn Nets, where he continued to excel on the court. However, he also faced criticism and controversy, particularly for his stance on vaccination against COVID-19, which led to him missing significant portions of the 2021–2022 NBA season.
Beyond basketball, Irving has been known for promoting various conspiracy theories, including the debunked notion that the Earth is flat. Some of his statements and actions have been deemed as antisemitic, drawing widespread condemnation.
Despite the controversies, Irving has also pursued interests outside of basketball, including acting and directing. He gained attention for his role as "Uncle Drew" in a series of advertisements, which later inspired a feature film. Additionally, Irving has made appearances in television shows and provided voice work for animated series.
Overall, Kyrie Irving remains a polarizing figure in the world of basketball, admired for his talent on the court but also scrutinized for his off-court behavior and controversial beliefs.


Kyrie Irving's upbringing and early life were shaped by his diverse background and his family's connection to basketball. Born in Melbourne, Australia, on March 23, 1992, to American expatriate parents Drederick Irving and Elizabeth Irving, Kyrie holds both American and Australian citizenship. His father, Drederick, played college basketball at Boston University before pursuing a professional career in Australia with the Bulleen Boomers.
Tragically, Irving's mother passed away when he was just four years old, leaving Drederick to raise Kyrie and his sisters, Asia and London, with the support of Irving's aunts. Following his mother's death, Drederick remarried Shetellia Riley in 2004, who later became Kyrie's agent. Despite the loss of his mother, Irving maintains a strong connection to his Lakota heritage, as his mother was African American and Lakota, and he is a citizen of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.


The family relocated to West Orange, New Jersey, when Irving was just two years old, where he spent much of his childhood. Growing up, Irving was heavily influenced by his father's involvement in basketball, frequently attending his adult-league games. His passion for the sport blossomed at a young age, with Irving declaring his ambition to play in the NBA as early as fourth grade, after a visit to the Continental Airlines Arena.
Irving's ties to basketball were further strengthened by his father's connection to Boston University, where he spent time attending basketball camps and even received a scholarship offer from the university's head coach while still in fifth grade. During his teenage years, Irving honed his skills playing for the Road Runners in the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), showcasing his talent and paving the way for his future career in basketball.


Kyrie Irving's high school basketball career was marked by impressive performances and notable achievements. He initially attended Montclair Kimberley Academy (MKA) for his freshman and sophomore years, where he quickly made a name for himself as a standout player. During his time at MKA, Irving averaged remarkable statistics, including 26.5 points, 10.3 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.6 steals per game. He also led MKA to its first New Jersey Prep 'B' state title in his sophomore year, solidifying his reputation as a rising talent in high school basketball.


Seeking a greater challenge, Irving transferred to St. Patrick High School after his sophomore year. Despite having to sit out the first 30 days of the season due to transfer rules, Irving quickly made an impact at St. Patrick. In his first season, he averaged 17.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 2.0 steals per game, leading the team to its third New Jersey Tournament of Champions title in four years.
Irving's talent and leadership abilities were further recognized on a national level. He was selected to represent the USA East team at the Nike Global Challenge in August 2009, where he earned MVP honors. Additionally, he received invitations to prestigious events such as the McDonald's All-American Game and the Jordan Brand Classic, where he showcased his skills and was named co-MVP alongside Harrison Barnes.


In his senior year at St. Patrick, Irving continued to excel on the court, averaging 24.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game. Despite St. Patrick being banned from the state tournament, Irving led the team to a successful season, culminating in a Union County Tournament championship.
Irving's impressive performances at the high school level earned him recognition from national basketball programs. He was selected to represent the United States at the FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship in June 2010, where he contributed to the team's gold medal victory. These achievements set the stage for Irving's transition to collegiate basketball and eventually his successful career in the NBA.

References

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3. ^ "Top 10 best ball handlers in NBA history". The TwinSpires Edge. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
4. ^ Aroko, Alex (December 8, 2017). "Top 5 Players With The Best Handles In NBA History". Sportskeeda. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
5. ^ Zion, Sports (August 10, 2021). "Top 10 Best Ball Handlers in NBA History". Sportszion. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
6. ^ "Kyrie replaces Pau as a VP of players' union". ESPN. February 17, 2020. Archived from the original on May 15, 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
7. ^ Pete Blackburn. "[Kyrie Irving apologizes for saying Earth is flat, claims he was 'into conspiracies' https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/kyrie-irving-apologizes-for-saying-earth-is-flat-claims-he-was-into-conspiracies/]." CBS Sports, October 1, 2018. Accessed May 17, 2023.
8. ^ Ryan, Conor (June 25, 2013). "Sharing talent on a big trip home". Herald Sun. Archived from the original on March 18, 2022. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
9. ^ Boyer, Mary Schmitt (June 26, 2011). "For Kyrie and Dred Irving, a long, winding road took them to a magical draft night (and the Cleveland Cavaliers)". The Plain Dealer. Archived from the original on July 29, 2021. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
10. ^ Jenkins, Lee (February 17, 2012). "Teague family at heart of hoops' little-man revolution". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved December 31, 2015.
11. a b "Kyrie Irving Bio – Duke University". Duke Sports Information. May 16, 2011. Archived from the original on June 18, 2013. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
12. a b "Kyrie Irving is Committed to the Red, White and Blue". usabasketball.com. June 21, 2010. Archived from the original on August 24, 2010.
13. Spears, Marc J. (June 17, 2011). "Irving rewards father's perseverance". Yahoo!. Archived from the original on October 30, 2021. Retrieved October 8, 2017.
14. ^ Neumann, Thomas (June 21, 2016). "Ben Simmons follows footsteps of these Aussies, Kiwis in NBA". ESPN. Archived from the original on November 9, 2021. Retrieved October 8, 2017. Irving holds dual American and Australian citizenship but has lived in the United States since age 2.
15. ^ Silva, Orlando (September 2, 2022). "Kyrie Irving Reveals He Used To Be A Lefty: "I Was Getting Slapped On The Hand For Writing With My Left Hand."". Fadeaway World. Archived from the original on October 4, 2022. Retrieved October 4, 2022.