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 with the Dallas Mavericks. Drafted first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2011, he earned Rookie of the Year honors. Irving is a nine-time All-Star, three-time All-NBA Team member, and won an NBA championship with the Cavaliers in 2016. He's 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, earning the MVP award with 21.3 points and 4.3 assists per game.

October 22, 2009: Commits to Duke

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, which played at the 2010 Nike Hoop Summit.

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

Kyrie Irving played with the Duke Blue Devils during the 2010–2011 basketball season under 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 Cleveland Cavaliers

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

2011: Played with Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

In 2011, at St. Patrick High School, Kyrie Irving played with Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, who was widely regarded as one of the best players in the class of 2011.

2011: Plays for Duke Blue Devils

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

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 also wrote and directed episodes of "Uncle Drew".

2012: Starring in Kickin' It

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

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2012: Consideration for Australian Olympic Team

In 2012, Kyrie Irving was considered for a position on the Australian team for the 2012 Olympics, but he chose to focus on being selected for the United States national team for the 2016 Olympic Games instead.

2012: Rising Stars Challenge MVP and Rookie of the Year

In 2012, Kyrie Irving was named to the Rising Stars Challenge, earning MVP honors. He also won the 2012 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 black protective face mask. He became the youngest player in NBA history to score 40 points in Madison Square Garden.

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 99–79 victory over the Utah Jazz.

April 5, 2014: Then Career-High 44 Points

On April 5, 2014, Kyrie Irving recorded a then career-high 44 points in a 96–94 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 Cavaliers.

2014: FIBA Basketball World Cup MVP

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

2014: All-Star Game MVP

In 2014, Kyrie Irving was the All-Star game MVP, recording 31 points and 14 assists as the East beat the West 163–155.

March 12, 2015: Career-High 57 Points

On March 12, 2015, Kyrie Irving scored a career-high 57 points, including a buzzer-beating three-point shot to send the Cavaliers into overtime, in a 128–125 victory over the San Antonio Spurs.

November 2015: Uncle Drew Episode 4 Release

In November 2015, Kyrie Irving wrote and directed episode 4 of "Uncle Drew", and in which he starred 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: Start of 2015 Schedule

The Cavaliers began their 2015 schedule on January 2 as they snapped a three-game losing streak with Irving's help. He scored 23 points, and with Love's 27, the Cavaliers defeated the Charlotte Hornets 91–87.

October 25, 2016: First Championship Ring and Victory Over Knicks

On October 25, 2016, after receiving his first championship ring prior to the season opener, Kyrie Irving 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: NBA Finals Winning Shot

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

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. He became just the fourth member of Team USA to capture the NBA championship and an Olympic gold medal in the same year.

2016: NBA Championship with Cavaliers

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

January 23, 2017: 35 Points in the Second Half vs Pelicans

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—their fifth loss in seven games.

July 2017: Irving requests trade from Cavaliers

In July 2017, Kyrie Irving requested a trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers. Reportedly, Irving desired to be the primary focus of his own team, instead of playing alongside LeBron James.

October 17, 2017: Irving debuts for the Celtics

On October 17, 2017, Kyrie Irving debuted for the Boston Celtics in their season opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers, scoring 22 points and 10 assists in a 102–99 loss. He missed a three-pointer at the buzzer that would have tied the game.

November 6, 2017: Irving scores 35 points against Hawks

On November 6, 2017, Kyrie Irving scored 35 points in a 110–107 victory over the Atlanta Hawks. This was his first 30-point game as a Celtic, and he scored more points (245) than any player in his first 11 games with Boston. The Celtics' win over Atlanta improved their record to 9–2, marking their longest winning streak in seven years.

November 20, 2017: Irving scores season-high 47 points

On November 20, 2017, Kyrie Irving scored 10 of his season-high 47 points in overtime. 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 from Cavaliers

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

2017: Second Best-Selling Signature Sneakers

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

2017: Uncle Drew Skit Inside an Old School Diner Featuring 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: Irving scores 40 points in loss to Magic

On January 21, 2018, Kyrie Irving scored 40 points in a 103–95 loss to the Orlando Magic. The Celtics had a 34–10 record by mid-January, but their loss to Orlando was their season-worst third straight defeat.

June 2018: Uncle Drew Feature Film Release

In June 2018, the Uncle Drew advertisement series became a feature film, Uncle Drew, which also features 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 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: Signature Sneakers Trend Continued

In 2018, The NPD Group projected that Kyrie Irving's signature sneakers trend continued.

2018: "Uncle Drew" Feature Film

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

January 16, 2019: Irving records 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: Irving signs with the Brooklyn Nets

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

October 23, 2019: Irving debuts for Nets with 50 points

On October 23, 2019, Kyrie Irving debuted for the Brooklyn Nets. He scored 50 points, had 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.

2019: Shoe Deal with Nike

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 Boston Celtics for two seasons, Kyrie Irving signed with the Brooklyn Nets as a free agent.

January 12, 2020: Irving returns from shoulder injury

On January 12, 2020, Kyrie Irving returned from a 26-game absence due to a right shoulder injury. In his return, he scored 21 points on 10-of-11 shooting in the 108–86 victory over the Atlanta Hawks.

February 2020: Elected VP of National Basketball Players Association

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 Donations

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 donated 17 pallets of food to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.

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: Granted Citizenship to 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: Irving makes season debut after vaccine mandate issues

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. He played 31 minutes, shooting 9-of-17.

February 26, 2022: Irving scores season-high 38 points against 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: Irving scores season-high 48 points against Jazz

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

February 6, 2023: Kyrie Irving Traded to Dallas Mavericks

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

July 7, 2023: Irving Re-Signs with Mavericks

On July 7, 2023, Kyrie Irving re-signed with the Dallas Mavericks on 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, where he joined the company as Chief Creative Officer of Anta Basketball. They will also launch a series of Anta x Kyrie Youth Basketball Camps around the world.

December 2023: Investment in Kicks Crew

In December 2023, Kyrie Irving made an investment in sneaker platform Kicks Crew and joined the company as Chief Community Officer. His role is expected to focus on cause-driven projects aimed at bringing communities together in collaborations that blend art and basketball and to extend globally.