Kyrie Irving Navigates Dual Citizenship for Olympic Basketball Aspirations
Former Team USA Guard Considers Representing Australia in 2028 Games
Kyrie Irving, the Dallas Mavericks superstar and former Team USA gold medalist, has expressed interest in competing for Australia in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Born in Melbourne, Australia, while his father played professional basketball there, Irving holds dual citizenship.
Irving, 32, revealed his aspirations during NBA All-Star weekend, stating that he is currently navigating the paperwork process to determine his eligibility. "We’re in the process of that right now. Just trying to figure out what’s going to be the best route for me to be eligible. There’s a lot of paperwork in between that," he said.
Irving’s decision to consider representing Australia stems from the uncertainty of his future with Team USA. He missed the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and the 2023 Paris Olympics, and will be 36 years old when the 2028 Games take place. With Team USA’s roster typically featuring the best and brightest American players, Irving’s spot is not guaranteed.
On the other hand, Team Australia presents fewer obstacles. Irving’s addition to the squad would bolster its chances of success and provide a significant boost to the country’s basketball program.
Irving emphasized that his decision is not a slight against Team USA, but rather a consideration of his individual goals. "I’m not trying to slight Team USA, especially considering I didn’t play with them in the 2021 Toyko Olympics or this past year’s Paris Olympics. … Obviously, Team USA still has a decision to make. [I’ll] do what’s best for me," he explained.
While Team USA has yet to make their decision, Irving has hinted that he would prefer to represent the world over the United States in future international competitions. "If the NBA were to shift to that – talk about the United States against a world team created buzz over the weekend – Irving implied that, from a competition perspective, I would pick the world right now," a reporter wrote.
Irving’s athleticism and exceptional ball-handling skills have made him a three-time All-NBA guard and the 2011-12 Rookie of the Year. The nine-time All-Star has averaged 23.7 points, 5.6 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game over his career.
In addition to his basketball prowess, Irving is a vocal advocate for social justice and has spoken out on issues such as police brutality and racial inequality. His decision to represent Australia, the country of his birth, could be seen as a symbolic gesture of his commitment to global unity and cultural diversity.
As the 2028 Olympics approach, Irving’s basketball journey will continue to unfold, with the possibility of him representing either the United States or Australia in the international spotlight. Regardless of his ultimate decision, Irving’s talent and passion for the game will undoubtedly make him a formidable presence on the court.
