Australian-born Kyrie Irving has been selected as the number one overall pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2011 NBA Draft.
Irving joins Andrew Bogut as the only Australians to have their name called first in the NBA’s annual young talent dispersion.
Irving attended Duke University, playing under Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski.
The freshman point guard only played 11 games, due to injury, but showed enough potential to have the Cleveland hierarchy believe he was the best talent available in the class of 2011.
In a nice twist for local fans, Irving carries an Australian passport and is eligible to play for the Australian National team.
Irving was born in Victoria whilst his father Drederick was playing as an import for Bulleen in the ABA, Australia’s second tier basketball competition.
In a further ironic twist, Drederick’s coach at Bulleen was current Australian Boomers coach Brett Brown, a recent member of the San Antonio Spurs coaching staff.
Whilst Irving moved to America when he was two years old, he has expressed his interest in representing Australia.
However, there is some bureaucratic red-tape to overcome before it becomes reality.
Irving represented the USA in junior basketball, and would therefore need approval from basketball’s world governing body, FIBA, and USA Basketball, before he could commit to the Boomers.
Irving is expected to be a solid contributor as a rookie, before becoming a top 10 point guard in the league in a few years time.
Whether that’s enough for Cleveland fans still stung by LeBron James defections remains to be seen.
Damo
Guest
Aussie. Pffffftt.
Swampy
Guest
He's not stupid - he is behind about half a dozen pg's right now for a spot on the US squad. Chris Paul, Rajon Rondo, Deron Williams, John Wall, Stephon Curry, Russell Westbrook. No old guys there - he might never get a game. Pretty lame we are trying to claim him as an Aussie. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Whites
Guest
From ESPN interview: Q-You were born in Australia; you have dual citizenship. That's been discussed about your future, playing for the national teams. Where are you on that issue? I'm definitely keeping both options open, honestly. I'm not going to close one door until I'm ready. But having the opportunity to play for the USA or play for Australia is special. Just being able to play on the same floor, and be in the Olympics, whatever team I play for. I really think I'll have a better chance of playing for Australia than the USA just because I'm going to be a young player in the league. Just to be able to play for Australia, for my country, it just would be a great opportunity. Q-How often have you been back there? I haven't been back there. It's a long flight, 17 hours. Whew. That's a long flight. Q-I was taken back a bit by you saying it's your country. When it applies to the Olympics, and making a decision, I have to claim Australia as my country. I'm happy for the USA. I played for the USA under-18 team, won a gold medal. I have no problem with that either. Q-I'm sure you don't remember much. You were 2 when you left. Have you heard family stories about living there? I've never asked my father. He told me he really enjoyed it, being a professional. He had a lot of fans there, that's what he told me about it. Just that he really enjoyed himself over there, when he was there with my mother, my older sister. http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=wilson-110621_kyrie_irving&sportCat=nba
Michael DiFabrizio
Expert
Turns out two Aussies got drafted - Sudanese-born Ater Majok was taken by the Lakers with pick 58. Considering he was running around in the NBL last season, this is a great result for Australian basketball!
Uncle Bob
Guest
Would be great for Australian hoops if he plays for us, but as I understand it he can't. He has already played for an underage US team in a FIBA tournament. Even if he did, it would only be occasionally because of insurance reasons and the 100 game NBA schedule. It could be part of a basketball renaissance in Australia.
Football Fan
Guest
He was on ESPN saying it - he even held up a sign referring to himself as 'The Australian Assassin'. The hosts rubbished him cos his accent is quite American.
Michael DiFabrizio
Expert
Fun fact, apparently only three cities have produced two No.1 picks in the last 30 years: Chicago, Lagos (Nigeria) and now Melbourne. Hopefully he ends up a Boomer, but I suppose we probably shouldn't get too carried away about him being "ours" just yet.
Funky
Guest
The Great thing about Kyrie Irving becoming the second Australian to named as the No.1 Draft Pick into the NBA is that the general Australian Public thinks that Basketball is DEAD in Australia and that golden generation of Australia basketball has past. Well, just maybe, IT HAS ARRIVED!!
Daniels
Guest
I am wondering how serous he is, Havent mentioned it on ESPN