Childhood and Education Journey of Kyrie Irving in Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Kyrie Irving, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

Kyrie Irving is a professional basketball player currently playing for the Dallas Mavericks. Drafted first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2011, he was named Rookie of the Year and subsequently won an NBA championship with the Cavaliers in 2016. Irving is a nine-time All-Star and a three-time All-NBA Team member, solidifying his status as one of the league's premier players.

Sections (6)

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

1972: Jo Jo White in 1972

Kyrie Irving became the third player in franchise history (joining Isaiah Thomas in 2015 and Jo Jo White in 1972) to have 20-plus points, five-plus assists and five-plus rebounds in his postseason debut with the team

1986: Irving's double-double points and assists

In 1986-87, Larry Bird achieved a double-double. On January 26, 2019, Irving recorded 32 points and 10 assists in a 115–111 loss to the Golden State Warriors. It was Irving's 11th double-double with points and assists, becoming the first Celtic with 11 of that kind of double-double since Larry Bird in 1986–87.

March 23, 1992: Kyrie Irving's Birth

On March 23, 1992, Kyrie Andrew Irving was born. He would grow up to be an American professional basketball player.

Others born on this day/year

2001: First Celtics player with 40 points and 10+ assists

In 2001, Antoine Walker did it as a Celtics player. On November 16, 2018, 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: Stephon Marbury milestone in 2001

In 2001, Stephon Marbury achieved a milestone. On October 23, 2019, Kyrie 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.

2004: Father Remarries

In 2004, Kyrie Irving's father, Drederick, remarried to Shetellia Riley, who is currently Kyrie Irving's agent.

2007: Most points in first six games as a Celtic

In 2007, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen each had 131 points in their first six games as a Celtic. On October 30, 2017, Irving's 128 points in his first six games as a Celtic were the most since Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen each had 131 in 2007.

October 22, 2009: Committed to Duke

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

2010: Played for the Blue Devils

Kyrie Irving played with the Duke Blue Devils during the 2010–2011 basketball season.

May 2011: Promise to Finish Degree

In May 2011, Kyrie Irving promised his father he would finish his bachelor's degree at Duke within five years.

2011: Played with Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

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

2011: Celtics' victory against the Spurs

In 2011, Celtics had their first victory against the Spurs since 2011. On October 30, 2017, Irving scored 24 points for the third straight game in helping the Celtics beat the San Antonio Spurs 108–94.

2011: Played for the Blue Devils

Kyrie Irving played with the Duke Blue Devils during the 2010–2011 basketball season.

February 2012: Celtics player with 30-plus points and a triple-double

In February 2012, Rajon Rondo achieved a triple-double. On March 14, 2019, Kyrie Irving recorded his second career triple-double with 31 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds in a 126–120 victory over the Sacramento Kings, becoming the first Celtics player to record 30-plus points and a triple-double in the same game since Rajon Rondo in February 2012.

July 14, 2012: Broken Right Hand in NBA Summer League

On July 14, 2012, Kyrie Irving sustained a broken right hand while practicing with the Cavaliers in the NBA Summer League.

2014: Cavaliers End 2014 at 18-14

The Cavaliers finished 2014 at 18–14. All of the new Big Three missed time during December, contributing to the team's inconsistency and mediocre play.

2015: Screw insertion

In 2015, Kyrie Irving had two screws inserted into his patella during the NBA Finals. On March 24, 2018, he was ruled out for three to six weeks after undergoing a minimally-invasive procedure to remove a tension wire in his left knee. Less than two weeks later, Irving was ruled out for the entire postseason, with a recovery time of four to five months, after another procedure was scheduled to remove two screws from his patella that were inserted in 2015 to repair a fracture he suffered during that year's NBA Finals.

2015: Isaiah Thomas in 2015

2015: Cavaliers Begin 2015 Schedule

The Cavaliers began their 2015 schedule on January 2 as they snapped a three-game losing streak with Irving's help.

January 2016: Relationship with Kehlani

From January 2016, Kyrie Irving was in a relationship with singer Kehlani.

March 2016: End of relationship with Kehlani and media controversy

In March 2016, Kyrie Irving's relationship with singer Kehlani ended, causing a Twitter media controversy after singer PartyNextDoor posted an Instagram photo of Kehlani’s hand while in bed together.

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: Plans to finish degree put on hold

In 2016, Kyrie Irving, having not achieved his degree, claimed he was putting his plans on hold, stating, "when I leave the game of basketball, then I'll focus on the next step of my life."

2016: Shift to Plant-Based Diet

Starting with the 2016–2017 season, Kyrie Irving moved to a predominantly plant-based diet.

December 2017: Nike ad referencing plant-based diet

Kyrie Irving referenced his predominantly plant-based diet in a December 2017 Nike ad.

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.