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 Andrew Irving is a prominent American 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, a three-time All-NBA Team selection, and won an NBA championship with the Cavaliers in 2016. He is known for his exceptional ball-handling skills and scoring ability.

Sections (6)

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

August 2009: Nike Global Challenge MVP

In August 2009, Kyrie Irving led the USA East to the tournament title in the Nike Global Challenge and was named the MVP with 21.3 points and 4.3 assists per game.

October 22, 2009: Commitment to Duke University

On October 22, 2009, Kyrie Irving committed to Duke University in a television broadcast on ESPNU.

January 19, 2010: Selected to Junior National Select Team

On January 19, 2010, Kyrie Irving was selected to the 2010 Junior National Select Team.

June 2010: FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship Gold Medal

In June 2010, Kyrie Irving was a part of the United States gold medal-winning team at the FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship.

2010: Plays for Duke Blue Devils

In 2010, Kyrie Irving played with the Duke Blue Devils during the 2010–2011 basketball season under the guidance of head coach Mike Krzyzewski.

2011: Enters NBA Draft

In 2011, Kyrie Irving announced that he would forgo his final three seasons of eligibility and enter the NBA draft, where he was selected with the first overall pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

2011: Joins Cavaliers

In 2011, Kyrie Irving joined the Cleveland Cavaliers after playing one year of college basketball for the Duke Blue Devils.

2011: Plays for Duke Blue Devils

In 2011, Kyrie Irving played with the Duke Blue Devils during the 2010–2011 basketball season under the guidance of head coach Mike Krzyzewski.

2011: Drafted into the NBA

In 2011, Kyrie Irving was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the first overall pick in the NBA draft and was named Rookie of the Year.

February 2012: Rajon Rondo last Celtic with 30-point triple-double

Rajon Rondo was the last Celtic with 30-plus points and a triple-double in February 2012.

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 Ad Series

In 2012, Kyrie Irving played the role of Uncle Drew in a series of Pepsi Max advertisements. He also 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.

2012: Starred in Kickin' It

In 2012, Kyrie Irving starred as himself in Kickin' It.

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2012: Rising Stars Challenge MVP and Rookie of the Year

In 2012, Kyrie Irving was named to the Rising Stars Challenge, where he earned MVP honors, and won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award.

2013: Career-High 41 Points Against Knicks

In 2013, Kyrie Irving scored his then-career-high 41 points against the New York Knicks while wearing a protective face mask.

February 28, 2014: First Career Triple-Double

On February 28, 2014, Kyrie Irving recorded his first career triple-double with 21 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds in a victory over the Utah Jazz.

April 5, 2014: Career-High 44 Points

On April 5, 2014, Kyrie Irving recorded a then career-high 44 points in an overtime loss to the Charlotte Bobcats.

July 10, 2014: Contract Extension with Cavaliers

On July 10, 2014, Kyrie Irving signed a five-year, $90 million contract extension with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

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, helped lead Team USA to the gold medal and was subsequently named the tournament's MVP, averaging 12.1 points and 3.6 assists per game.

2014: NBA All-Star Game MVP

In 2014, Kyrie Irving was the NBA All-Star game MVP, recording 31 points and 14 assists.

March 12, 2015: Career-High 57 Points

On March 12, 2015, Kyrie Irving scored a career-high 57 points in a victory over the San Antonio Spurs, including a buzzer-beating three-point shot to send the Cavaliers into overtime.

November 2015: Release of Uncle Drew Episode 4

In November 2015, Kyrie Irving wrote and directed episode 4 of "Uncle Drew", starring alongside Baron Davis, J. B. Smoove, and Ray Allen.

2015: Launch of PSD Underwear Collection

In 2015, Kyrie Irving launched his PSD Underwear collection.

2015: Irving's Performance in January

The Cavaliers began their 2015 schedule on January 2. Irving scored 23 points, and with Love's 27, the Cavaliers defeated the Charlotte Hornets 91–87.

October 25, 2016: Scored game-high 29 points in victory over New York Knicks

On October 25, 2016, Kyrie Irving received his first championship ring prior to the season opener and scored a game-high 29 points in 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: Voicework in We Bare Bears

In 2016, Kyrie Irving did voicework in We Bare Bears.

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2016: Olympic Gold Medal

In 2016, Kyrie Irving helped Team USA win the gold medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics, becoming 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.

2016: NBA Championship with Cavaliers

In 2016, Kyrie Irving won an NBA championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

2016: NBA Finals Victory

In the 2016 NBA Finals, Kyrie Irving and LeBron James each scored 41 points in Game 5, and Irving hit a three-pointer in Game 7 to help the Cavaliers win the series 4–3.

2016: NBA Championship-Winning Shot

In the 2016 NBA Finals, Kyrie Irving made the championship-winning three-pointer to complete the Cavaliers' historic comeback over the Golden State Warriors.

January 23, 2017: Scored 35 of 49 points in second half

On January 23, 2017, Kyrie Irving scored 35 of his season-high 49 points in the second half of the Cavaliers' narrow 124–122 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, marking their fifth loss in seven games.

July 2017: Requested trade from Cavaliers

In July 2017, Kyrie Irving requested the Cavaliers to trade him, reportedly desiring to be more of 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 Boston Celtics, scoring 22 points and 10 assists in a 102–99 loss against the Cavaliers.

November 6, 2017: First 30-point game as a Celtic

On November 6, 2017, Kyrie Irving scored 35 points in a 110–107 victory over the Atlanta Hawks. It was his first 30-point game as a Celtic.

November 20, 2017: Scored 47 points against the Dallas Mavericks

On November 20, 2017, Kyrie Irving scored 10 of his season-high 47 points in overtime as the Celtics rallied from a double-digit deficit to beat the Dallas Mavericks 110–102, extending their winning streak to 16 games.

2017: Trade Request to Celtics

After another Finals appearance in 2017, Kyrie Irving requested a trade and was dealt to the Boston Celtics.

2017: Signature Sneakers Second Best-Selling Line

As of 2017, Kyrie Irving's signature Nike sneakers were the second best-selling line, trailing only LeBron James.

2017: NBA Finals Game 4: Irving Scores 40 Points

In 2017, Kyrie Irving scored 40 points in Game 4 of the NBA Finals to help the Cleveland Cavaliers extend the series against the Golden State Warriors, avoiding a sweep with a 137–116 victory.

2017: Uncle Drew advertisement series features 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.

January 21, 2018: Scored 40 points against Orlando Magic

On January 21, 2018, Kyrie Irving scored 40 points in a 103–95 loss to the Orlando Magic.

June 2018: Release of Uncle Drew Feature Film

In June 2018, the feature film, Uncle Drew, starring Kyrie Irving and former NBA stars, was released.

August 2018: "Welcome Home" Ceremony at Standing Rock Indian Reservation

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: "Uncle Drew" Feature Film

In 2018, the "Uncle Drew" advertisements, in which Kyrie Irving wrote, directed, and acted, became a feature film.

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January 16, 2019: Recorded career-high 18 assists

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: Signed with the Brooklyn Nets

On July 7, 2019, Kyrie Irving signed with the Brooklyn Nets in free agency.

October 23, 2019: Debut for the Nets

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.

2019: Shoe Deal Worth

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

2019: Signs with Brooklyn Nets

In 2019, after playing with the Celtics for two seasons, Kyrie Irving signed with the Brooklyn Nets as a free agent.

January 12, 2020: Returned from shoulder 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.

February 2020: Elected Vice-President of NBPA

In February 2020, Kyrie Irving was elected as one of the seven vice-presidents of the National Basketball Players Association, replacing Pau Gasol.

2020: Philanthropic Contributions Through K.A.I. Family Foundation

In 2020, Kyrie Irving, through his K.A.I. Family Foundation, 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.

February 18, 2021: Named All-Star Game starter

On February 18, 2021, Kyrie Irving was named an Eastern Conference starter for the 2021 NBA All-Star Game, marking his seventh selection.

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.

January 5, 2022: Season debut against Indiana Pacers

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

February 26, 2022: Scored season-high 38 points against Milwaukee Bucks

On February 26, 2022, Kyrie Irving scored a then season-high 38 points with five rebounds, five assists, and two steals in a 126–123 victory over the reigning champions Milwaukee Bucks.

January 20, 2023: Season-High Performance Against the Utah Jazz

On January 20, 2023, Kyrie Irving achieved a season-high 48 points, including eight 3-pointers, 11 rebounds, six assists, and four steals in a 117–106 victory against the Utah Jazz.

February 6, 2023: Trade to the Dallas Mavericks

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

July 7, 2023: Re-signing with the Dallas Mavericks

On July 7, 2023, Kyrie Irving re-signed with the Dallas Mavericks, securing a three-year contract.

September 2023: Partnership with Anta Sports

In September 2023, Kyrie Irving announced a new partnership with Chinese sports brand Anta Sports and become Chief Creative Officer of Anta Basketball. A namesake sneaker was announced for the 2023–2024 NBA season alongside a business collaboration.

December 2023: Investment in Kicks Crew and Role as Chief Community Officer

In December 2023, Kyrie Irving invested in sneaker platform Kicks Crew and joined the company as Chief Community Officer, focusing on cause-driven projects that blend art and basketball.