Kyrie Irving, the NBA star born in Melbourne, Australia, is considering a significant shift in his international basketball career. During the recent All-Star weekend, Irving was asked if he would contemplate switching allegiances from Team USA to Team Australia. The prospect excites him, and he is currently exploring the possibility of representing Australia at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. However, this potential switch depends on approvals from USA Basketball, FIBA, and Basketball Australia.
Irving has a storied history with Team USA, having won a gold medal at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games. Despite his past success, he did not make the rosters for the last two Olympic Games, including the 2024 Paris Games, where Team USA clinched the gold once more. Now, at 36 years old by the time of the LA Olympics, Irving aims to don the Australian jersey and join a team that includes NBA talents like Dyson Daniels, Josh Giddey, and Ben Simmons.
"Honestly, if I can be an Aussie at one point in my career and play for the Australian team, that would be great." – Kyrie Irving
Irving's journey towards eligibility is not straightforward. To play for Team Australia, he must secure approvals from multiple governing bodies. This process is ongoing, as Irving himself confirmed during a recent interview.
"We're in the process of that right now," – Kyrie Irving
The inclusion of Irving could bolster Team Australia's performance. The Australians secured a bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Games and finished sixth at the 2024 Paris Games after a tough overtime loss to Serbia in the quarterfinals. With Irving's experience and skillset, Team Australia could aim for a higher placement in future competitions.
Irving's desire to switch teams underscores his personal connection to Australia, despite his earlier representation of the United States. His potential move has sparked discussions about eligibility rules and the impact such changes could have on international basketball dynamics.
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