Kyrie Irving might soon wear the green and gold of Australia, with the NBA superstar exploring a switch to play for the Boomers national team.
“We’re in the process right now, trying to figure out the best route for me to be eligible,” Irving said after stepping in as an All-Star replacement this week.
The Melbourne-born guard’s interest comes after being left off Team USA’s roster for the Paris Olympics.
It’s a move that would shake up international basketball. Irving, a nine-time NBA All-Star, has been one of the league’s most electric players since entering the NBA in 2011.
The connection to Australia runs deeper than many fans realize. Irving was born in Melbourne and lived there until he was two years old while his American parents were living abroad. He’s held dual citizenship ever since.
“Honestly, if I can be an Aussie at one point in my career and play for the Australian team, that would be great,” Irving said.
This isn’t the first time he’s thought about playing for Australia. As a teenager, he mentioned the idea during a Twitch stream, but his college coach at Duke – who was also Team USA’s coach at the time – reportedly shut it down.
There are still some hurdles to clear. Both Team USA and FIBA (the international basketball governing body) would need to approve the switch. But Basketball Australia is already working with Irving to make it happen.
For Australian basketball fans, getting a player of Irving’s caliber would be huge. The Boomers have been knocking on the door of international success for years, winning their first Olympic medal (bronze) in Tokyo.
Adding Irving to a team that already includes NBA talent like Josh Giddey and Patty Mills could make Australia a serious threat at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The paperwork process could take some time, but Irving seems committed to making it work. “There’s a lot of paperwork involved. Obviously, USA still has a decision to make, but for me, I’m just trying to do what’s best.”
