Kyrie Irving is now considering a major shift in his international basketball career. After being left off the United States roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Dallas Mavericks star has expressed interest in representing his birth country, Australia.
At the NBA All-Star Weekend in San Francisco, Irving openly discussed his desire to switch Olympic teams. He also cited the ongoing process of securing eligibility.
“We are in the process of that right now, just trying to figure out the best route for me to be eligible. There’s a lot of paperwork involved,” Irving said.
Kyrie Irving is pursuing a switch in his national eligibility, to represent Australia in the next Olympics🇦🇺🦘
— Basketball Forever (@bballforever_) February 17, 2025
"We are in the process of that right now, just trying to figure out the best route for me to be eligible. There’s a lot of paperwork involved…" pic.twitter.com/rdW5Td8447
Irving has held dual citizenship for years but previously chose to represent the United States. He played a key role in Team USA’s gold medal run at the 2016 Rio Olympics. However, his exclusion from the upcoming Paris Games has seemingly opened the door for a new opportunity with the Australian national team, known as the Boomers.
“Honestly, if I can be an Aussie at one point in my career, play for the Australian team, that’d be great,” he added.
However, the process of switching national teams in international basketball is not simple. FIBA has strict regulations regarding nationality changes, especially for players who have already competed in official tournaments for another country. FIBA must determine whether the switch is in “the best interests of basketball.”
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Kyrie Irving Faces A Unique Dilemma In Potential NBA All-Star Format Change
The NBA has explored various ways to make the annual showcase more competitive. One rumored possibility is a game between US players and those born outside of the country. Given Irving’s unique background, he could find himself torn between the two sides. When asked about the potential format change, the Mavericks star offered a surprising response.
“I would pick (playing for) the World right now, man, just for competition’s sake. But I’m always going to be with my USA guys. We have so much history together,” he said.
If the NBA does move forward with a USA vs. World format, Irving’s decision could be one of the most talked-about storylines leading up to the game. Whether he suits up for Team USA or Australia will remain to be seen.
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