Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Kyrie Irving

Discover the career path of Kyrie Irving, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Kyrie Irving is a professional basketball player currently playing for the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA. Drafted first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2011, he earned Rookie of the Year honors. Irving is a nine-time All-Star and a three-time All-NBA Team selection. His career highlight includes winning an NBA championship with the Cavaliers in 2016.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

2001: 40 points with 10 or more assists

On November 16, 2018, Kyrie Irving recorded a season-high 43 points and 11 assists in a 123–116 overtime victory over the Toronto Raptors. It marked Irving's first ever game scoring at least 40 points with 10 or more assists, and became the first Celtics player to do so since Antoine Walker in 2001.

2001: Kyrie Irving Nets Debut Stats

On October 23, 2019, Kyrie Irving debuted for the Nets with 50 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists in a 127–126 overtime loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, becoming the first player in NBA history to score 50 points or more in a team debut. Irving became the seventh player in franchise history to score 50 points or more in a single game, and joins Stephon Marbury (2001) as the only one to also record 15 combined rebounds and assists. Irving also scored 25 of the Nets' 56 points in the first half.

2012: Appearance on Disney XD's Kickin' It

In 2012, Kyrie Irving appeared on an episode of the Disney XD series Kickin' It.

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2012: Uncle Drew Pepsi Max Advertisements

In 2012, Kyrie Irving played the role of Uncle Drew in a series of Pepsi Max advertisements. He wrote and directed episode 2, in which Irving starred alongside Bill Russell and Kevin Love, and episode 3, in which he starred alongside Nate Robinson and Maya Moore.

2014: FIBA World Cup MVP

In 2014, Kyrie Irving was a member of the United States national team that competed in the FIBA Basketball World Cup. He helped lead Team USA to the gold medal and was subsequently named the tournament's MVP. He was also named the 2014 USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year.

November 2015: Release of "Uncle Drew" Episode 4

In November 2015, Kyrie Irving wrote and directed episode 4 of "Uncle Drew", in which he starred alongside Baron Davis, J. B. Smoove, and Ray Allen. The "Uncle Drew" series were Pepsi Max advertisements.

2015: Launch of PSD Underwear Collection

In 2015, Kyrie Irving launched his PSD Underwear collection.

October 25, 2016: Victory Over the New York Knicks

On October 25, 2016, Kyrie Irving received his first championship ring and scored a game-high 29 points, leading the Cavaliers to a 117–88 victory over the New York Knicks.

November 2016: Support for Standing Rock Water Protectors

In November 2016, Kyrie Irving tweeted his support for the water protectors at the Standing Rock Indian Reservation who were demonstrating against the Dakota Access Pipeline in North Dakota.

2016: Olympic Gold Medal

In 2016, Kyrie Irving helped Team USA win the gold medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics. With the win, he became just the fourth member of Team USA to capture the NBA championship and an Olympic gold medal in the same year, joining LeBron James, Michael Jordan, and Scottie Pippen.

July 2017: Trade Request from Cavaliers

In July 2017, Kyrie Irving requested a trade from the Cavaliers, expressing a desire to be the focal point of his own team instead of playing alongside LeBron James.

October 17, 2017: Celtics Debut

On October 17, 2017, Kyrie Irving debuted for the Celtics, scoring 22 points and 10 assists in a 102–99 loss against the Cavaliers.

November 6, 2017: Victory Over the Atlanta Hawks

On November 6, 2017, Kyrie Irving scored 35 points in a 110–107 victory over the Atlanta Hawks, marking his first 30-point game as a Celtic and helping the team achieve their longest winning streak in seven years.

November 20, 2017: Victory Over the Dallas Mavericks

On November 20, 2017, Kyrie Irving scored 10 of his season-high 47 points in overtime, leading the Celtics to a 110–102 victory over the Dallas Mavericks and extending their winning streak to 16 games.

2017: Eastern Conference Title and NBA Finals Appearance

In 2017, Kyrie Irving led the Cavaliers to a 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics with a playoff career-high 42 points in Game 4. He then helped the Cavaliers defeat the Celtics in Game 5, claiming their third straight Eastern Conference title and a return trip to the NBA Finals, where they ultimately lost to the Golden State Warriors.

2017: Second Best-Selling Signature Sneakers

In 2017, Kyrie Irving's signature sneakers with Nike were the second best-selling line, behind LeBron James.

2017: Uncle Drew skit with Pepsi

In 2017, the Uncle Drew advertisement series became a skit inside an old school diner featuring Pepsi in its current design, stored in a fridge with its original logo.

June 2018: Release of "Uncle Drew" feature film

In June 2018, Kyrie Irving starred as Uncle Drew in a feature film titled "Uncle Drew", which also featured former NBA stars.

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August 2018: "Welcome Home" Ceremony at Standing Rock

In August 2018, Kyrie Irving and his older sister were honored with a "welcome home" ceremony at Standing Rock Indian Reservation, acknowledging their family ties to the community, and in gratitude for Irving's activism on behalf of the water protectors at the Dakota Access Pipeline protests.

2018: Guest Star on Family Guy

In 2018, Kyrie Irving guest starred on Family Guy, lending his voice for the season 17 episode "Big Trouble in Little Quahog".

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2018: Projected Trend of Signature Sneakers

In 2018, it was projected that the trend of Kyrie Irving's signature sneakers being the second best-selling line continued.

2018: Trade Compensation

In 2018, the Brooklyn Nets' first-round draft pick, which the Celtics had acquired, turned into Collin Sexton as part of the compensation for the trade involving Kyrie Irving.

January 16, 2019: Victory Over the Raptors

On January 16, 2019, Kyrie Irving recorded 27 points and a career-high 18 assists in a 117–108 victory over the Toronto Raptors.

July 7, 2019: Signing with the Brooklyn Nets

On July 7, 2019, Kyrie Irving signed with the Brooklyn Nets in free agency on a four-year, $136.5 million contract.

October 23, 2019: Nets Debut

2019: Nike Shoe Deal Value

As of 2019, Kyrie Irving's shoe deal with Nike was worth US$11 million.

January 12, 2020: Return From Injury

On January 12, 2020, Kyrie Irving returned from a right shoulder injury, scoring 21 points in a 108–86 victory over the Atlanta Hawks.

2020: Donations through K.A.I. Family Foundation

In 2020, Kyrie Irving donated a home to the family of George Floyd, paid off student debt for students from Lincoln University, committed $1.5 million to help pay WNBA players who opted out of playing during the COVID-19 pandemic, donated over $300,000 to food banks and with City Harvest on his birthday, and donated 17 pallets of food to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, through his K.A.I. Family Foundation.

2020: Trade Compensation

In 2020, the Celtics agreed to send the Cavaliers a second-round draft pick via the Miami Heat as compensation for Isaiah Thomas' failed physical in the Kyrie Irving trade.

July 29, 2021: Solar Water Center in Pakistan

On July 29, 2021, Kyrie Irving, through his K.A.I. Family Foundation, built a solar water center in Pakistan with Paani Project.

2021: Enrollment in Standing Rock Sioux Tribe

In 2021, Kyrie Irving's petition for citizenship was granted and he became an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.

January 5, 2022: Season Debut

On January 5, 2022, Kyrie Irving made his season debut, recording 22 points, three rebounds, and four assists in a 129–121 victory over the Indiana Pacers.

February 6, 2023: Trade to the Dallas Mavericks

On February 6, 2023, Kyrie Irving, along with Markieff Morris, was traded by the Nets to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Dorian Finney-Smith, Spencer Dinwiddie, an unprotected 2029 first-round pick, and second-round picks in 2027 and 2029.

July 7, 2023: Re-signing with the Mavericks

On July 7, 2023, Kyrie Irving re-signed with the Dallas Mavericks to a three-year, $126 million contract.

September 2023: Partnership with Anta Sports

In September 2023, Kyrie Irving announced a new partnership with Chinese sports brand Anta Sports and will be Chief Creative Officer of Anta Basketball. They will also launch a series of Anta x Kyrie Youth Basketball Camps around the world.