History of Kyrie Irving in Timeline
Kyrie Irving is an American professional basketball player currently with the Dallas Mavericks. Drafted first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2011, he was named Rookie of the Year. Irving is a nine-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA Team selection. He won an NBA championship with the Cavaliers in 2016, solidifying his place among the league's elite players.
January 14, 1962: Wilt Chamberlain Scoring Record
On March 12, 2015, Irving set a career-high against the defending champion since January 14, 1962, when Wilt Chamberlain scored 62 points for the Philadelphia Warriors in a loss to the Boston Celtics.
March 23, 1992: Kyrie Irving Born
On March 23, 1992, Kyrie Irving was born in Melbourne, Australia.
1996: Discouraged from Using Left Hand
In 1996, while studying in a Catholic school, Kyrie Irving was discouraged from using his left hand, influencing his early development.
2004: Father's Remarriage
In 2004, Drederick Irving remarried to Shetellia Riley, who later became Kyrie Irving's agent, marking a significant family event.
March 3, 2005: LeBron James' Franchise Scoring Mark
On March 12, 2015, Irving's 57-point game surpassed the Cavaliers' franchise single-game scoring mark of 56 points, set by LeBron James against the Toronto Raptors on March 3, 2005.
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 MVP, scoring 21.3 points and 4.3 assists per game.
October 22, 2009: Commits to Duke University
On October 22, 2009, Kyrie Irving committed to Duke University, marking a significant decision for his college basketball career.
January 19, 2010: Selected to Junior National Select Team
On January 19, 2010, Kyrie Irving was selected to the 2010 Junior National Select Team, showcasing his talent among top young players.
March 16, 2010: Cavaliers' First Triple-Double Since
On February 28, 2014, Irving recorded his first career triple-double which was also the Cavaliers' first triple-double since March 16, 2010, highlighting a significant gap in such performances for the team.
June 2010: FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship Gold
In June 2010, Kyrie Irving was part of the United States gold medal-winning team at the FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship, contributing to international success.
2010: Plays for Duke Blue Devils
In 2010, Kyrie Irving played with the Duke Blue Devils, beginning his college basketball career.
May 2011: Promise to Finish Duke Degree
In May 2011, Kyrie Irving pledged to his father that he would complete his bachelor's degree at Duke University within five years.
2011: Player in Class of 2011
In 2011, At St. Patrick, Irving played with Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, who was widely regarded as one of the best players in the class of 2011.
2011: Enters NBA Draft
In 2011, Kyrie Irving announced that he would forgo his final three seasons of eligibility and enter the NBA draft.
2011: Joins Cleveland Cavaliers
In 2011, Kyrie Irving joined the Cleveland Cavaliers after playing college basketball for the Duke Blue Devils, marking the start of his NBA career.
2011: Plays for Duke Blue Devils
In 2011, Kyrie Irving played with the Duke Blue Devils, continuing his college basketball career.
2011: NBA Draft & Rookie of the Year
In 2011, Kyrie Irving was selected first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA draft, marking the beginning of his professional basketball career. He was named Rookie of the Year that year.
July 14, 2012: Broken Hand Injury
On July 14, 2012, Kyrie Irving sustained a broken right hand while practicing with the Cavaliers in the NBA Summer League.
2012: Index Finger Injury
At the start of the 2012–2013 NBA season, Kyrie Irving injured his index finger in a loss to the Dallas Mavericks, causing him to miss three weeks of action.
2012: Appearance on Disney XD's Kickin' It
In 2012, Kyrie Irving made an appearance on an episode of the Disney XD series Kickin' It.
2012: Stars as Uncle Drew in Pepsi Max ad series
In 2012, Kyrie Irving starred as Uncle Drew in a series of Pepsi Max advertisements. He also wrote and directed some of the episodes.
2012: Starred in Kickin' It
In 2012, Kyrie Irving starred as himself in Kickin' It, showcasing his presence in television and film.
2012: Consideration for Australian Olympic Team
In 2012, Kyrie Irving was considered for a spot on the Australian Olympic team but ultimately decided to focus on making the United States national team for the 2016 Olympic Games.
2012: Rising Stars Challenge MVP & Rookie of the Year
In 2012, Kyrie Irving was named to the Rising Stars Challenge, earned MVP honors with 34 points, and won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award, marking a successful start to his NBA career.
2013: Career-High 41 Points
In 2013, while wearing a protective face mask, Kyrie Irving scored his then-career-high 41 points against the New York Knicks, becoming 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 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 a 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, solidifying his commitment to the team.
2014: All-Star Game MVP
In 2014, Kyrie Irving was chosen as the starting point guard for the Eastern Conference in the NBA All-Star game and was named the All-Star game MVP, recording 31 points and 14 assists.
2014: Cavaliers' Season Performance
In 2014, after a shaky start, the Cavaliers finished the year at 18–14, with inconsistencies and mediocre play due to missed time by the Big Three.
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, in a victory over the San Antonio Spurs, surpassing the Cavaliers' franchise single-game scoring mark.
August 27, 2015: Ruled Unlikely for Opening Night
On August 27, 2015, Kyrie Irving was ruled unlikely to be ready for opening night of the 2015–16 season due to the left kneecap fracture he suffered in Game 1 of the 2015 NBA Finals.
November 2015: "Uncle Drew" Episode 4 Release
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.
2015: Cavaliers' Season Performance
In 2015, Kyrie Irving helped the Cavaliers snap a three-game losing streak, but later suffered a season low with just six points before leaving a game with lower back tightness.
2015: Launch of PSD Underwear collection
In 2015, Kyrie Irving launched his PSD Underwear collection.
October 25, 2016: Championship Ring & Game-High 29 Points
On October 25, 2016, after receiving his first championship ring, Kyrie Irving scored a game-high 29 points in a victory over the New York Knicks.
November 2016: Support for Standing Rock Water Protectors
In November 2016, Kyrie Irving publicly tweeted his support for the water protectors at the Standing Rock Indian Reservation who were protesting against the Dakota Access Pipeline.
2016: Focus on selection for US national team
In 2012, Kyrie Irving elected not to represent his nation of birth, Australia, instead focusing on selection for the United States national team for the 2016 Olympic Games.
2016: NBA Championship Victory
In 2016, Kyrie Irving and the Cavaliers won the NBA Championship, rallying from a 3–1 Finals deficit to defeat the Golden State Warriors, ending Cleveland's 52-year major sports championship drought.
2016: Voicework in We Bare Bears
In 2016, Kyrie Irving did voicework in We Bare Bears, expanding his involvement in entertainment beyond basketball.
2016: Olympic Gold Medal
In 2016, Kyrie Irving played a crucial role in helping Team USA secure the gold medal at the Summer Olympics. This victory made him one of the few players to have won both an NBA championship and an Olympic gold medal in the same year, alongside legends like LeBron James, Michael Jordan, and Scottie Pippen.
2016: Plans to get degree are put on hold
In 2016, Kyrie Irving put his plans to finish his bachelor's degree at Duke on hold, stating he would focus on it after his basketball career.
2016: Adoption of predominantly plant-based diet
Starting with the 2016–2017 season, Kyrie Irving moved to a predominantly plant-based diet.
January 23, 2017: Season-High 49 Points
On January 23, 2017, Kyrie Irving scored 35 of his season-high 49 points in the second half of the Cavaliers' loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.
February 2017: Flat Earth Belief Statement
In February 2017, Kyrie Irving stated in an interview that he believed the Earth is flat, sparking widespread discussion and controversy.
July 2017: Irving Requests Trade from Cavaliers
In July 2017, Kyrie Irving requested to be traded from the Cavaliers, reportedly desiring a more focal role on his own team rather than playing alongside LeBron James.
September 2017: Denial of Flat Earth Claims
In September 2017, Kyrie Irving retracted his previous statements about believing the Earth is flat, claiming the media had misunderstood him and that he was joking.
October 17, 2017: Irving's Celtics Debut
On October 17, 2017, Kyrie Irving debuted for the Celtics against the Cavaliers, scoring 22 points and 10 assists in a 102–99 loss.
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 as the Celtics rallied to beat the Dallas Mavericks 110–102, extending their winning streak to 16 games.
December 2017: Nike Ad Referencing Plant-Based Diet
In December 2017, Kyrie Irving's Nike ad referenced his predominantly plant-based diet.
2017: Second Best-Selling Signature Sneakers
In 2017, Kyrie Irving's signature sneakers were the second best-selling line, only behind LeBron James.
2017: Trade Request to Boston Celtics
In 2017, after another Finals appearance, Kyrie Irving requested a trade from the Cavaliers and was subsequently dealt to the Boston Celtics.
2017: "Uncle Drew" advertisement series becomes a skit inside an old school diner
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, despite the Celtics holding a 34–10 record by mid-January.
June 2018: "Uncle Drew" Feature Film Release
In June 2018, the feature film "Uncle Drew", starring Kyrie Irving and featuring former NBA stars, was released.
June 2018: Reiterates Questionable Belief
In a June 2018 interview, Kyrie Irving continued to express uncertainty about the Earth's shape and encouraged people to "do [their] own research."
August 2018: "Welcome Home" Ceremony at Standing Rock
In August 2018, Kyrie Irving and his sister were honored with a "welcome home" ceremony at the Standing Rock Indian Reservation, acknowledging their family ties to the community.
October 2018: Apology for Flat Earth Comments
In October 2018, Kyrie Irving apologized for his earlier flat Earth comments, but stopped short of confirming whether he still held the belief.
2018: "Uncle Drew" Feature Film
In 2018, "Uncle Drew," a character played by Kyrie Irving in advertisements, became a feature film, marking his significant venture into acting and filmmaking.
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".
2018: Continued Sneaker Trend
In 2018, it was projected that Kyrie Irving's signature sneaker trend continued, following its success in 2017.
2018: "Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America" film release
Kyrie Irving tweeted a link to an Amazon listing page for "Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America", a 2018 film promoting Black Hebrew Israelite ideology, sparking controversy due to its antisemitic content.
2018: Relationship with Marlene Wilkerson
Since 2018, Kyrie Irving has been in a relationship with Marlene Wilkerson.
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 Brooklyn Nets
On July 7, 2019, Kyrie Irving signed with the Brooklyn Nets in free agency, marking a new chapter in his NBA career.
October 23, 2019: Irving Debuts for Nets with 50 Points
On October 23, 2019, Kyrie Irving debuted for the Brooklyn Nets with an impressive 50 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists. However, the team lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves 127–126 in overtime. He became the first player in NBA history to score 50 points or more in a team debut.
2019: Nike Shoe Deal Worth
As of 2019, Kyrie Irving's shoe deal with Nike was valued at US$11 million.
2019: Signs with Brooklyn Nets
In 2019, Kyrie Irving signed with the Brooklyn Nets as a free agent, beginning a new chapter in his NBA journey.
January 12, 2020: Irving Returns From Injury
On January 12, 2020, Kyrie Irving returned from a right shoulder injury, scoring 21 points on 10-of-11 shooting in the 108–86 victory over the Atlanta Hawks.
February 2020: Elected as Vice-President of NBPA
In February 2020, Kyrie Irving was elected as one of the seven vice-presidents of the National Basketball Players Association, demonstrating his involvement in player representation.
2020: Donations to social causes
In 2020, through his K.A.I. Family Foundation, Kyrie Irving donated a home to the family of George Floyd, paid off student debt for Lincoln University students, and made significant contributions to food banks and WNBA players who opted out of playing due to COVID-19.
February 18, 2021: Irving Named All-Star Starter
On February 18, 2021, Kyrie Irving was named an Eastern Conference starter for the 2021 NBA All-Star Game, marking his seventh All-Star selection.
March 2021: First Tweet Espousing Black Hebrew Israelite Doctrine
In March 2021, Kyrie Irving made his first tweet espousing Black Hebrew Israelite doctrine, which often includes antisemitism.
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 in collaboration with Paani Project.
October 12, 2021: Irving Ineligible to Play Due to Vaccine Mandate
On October 12, 2021, the Nets announced that Kyrie Irving was ineligible to play or practice with the team due to New York City's COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
October 2021: NBA 75th Anniversary Team Exclusion Speculation
Amidst COVID-19 pandemic controversies and vaccine hesitancy, there was speculation in October 2021 that Kyrie Irving was excluded from the NBA 75th Anniversary Team list.
October 21, 2021: Speculation Surrounds Irving's Exclusion from NBA 75th Anniversary Team
On October 21, 2021, it was speculated that Kyrie Irving was originally on the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, but was later excluded, allegedly due to the ongoing vaccine mandate controversy. This led to criticism from fans, commentators, and fellow players.
2021: COVID-19 Vaccine Controversy
In 2021, Kyrie Irving's decision not to get vaccinated for COVID-19 led to him missing the majority of the 2021–2022 NBA season.
2021: Enrolled member of 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 in a 129–121 victory over the Indiana Pacers. This followed a period of ineligibility due to vaccine mandates.
February 2022: NYC Vaccine Requirement Discussions
In February 2022, New York City mayor Eric Adams announced that the city would be lifting its vaccine requirement for indoor activities on March 7. However, Irving remained subject to a different workplace vaccine mandate.
February 26, 2022: Irving Scores Season-High 38 Points Against Bucks
On February 26, 2022, Kyrie Irving scored a then season-high 38 points in a 126–123 victory over the reigning champions Milwaukee Bucks.
September 15, 2022: Sharing Alex Jones Video
On September 15, 2022, Kyrie Irving shared a video on his Instagram story featuring a rant by InfoWars creator and far-right conspiracy theorist Alex Jones.
October 27, 2022: Tweets link to controversial film
On October 27, 2022, Kyrie Irving tweeted a link to an Amazon listing page for "Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America", a 2018 film promoting Black Hebrew Israelite ideology, sparking controversy due to its antisemitic content.
October 29, 2022: Denial of Antisemitism
On October 29, 2022, Kyrie Irving tweeted that deeming him antisemitic was "not justified" and expressed his intent to "learn from all walks of life and religions", followed by defending his tweet during a postgame press availability.
November 3, 2022: Irving Suspended by Nets
On November 3, 2022, the Nets suspended Kyrie Irving for at least five NBA games due to his failure to "unequivocally say he has no antisemitic beliefs" and stated that he is "currently unfit to be associated with the Brooklyn Nets."
2022: COVID-19 Vaccine Controversy
In 2022, Kyrie Irving's decision not to get vaccinated for COVID-19 led to him missing the majority of the 2021–2022 NBA season.
January 20, 2023: Irving Scores Season-High 48 Points
On January 20, 2023, Kyrie Irving achieved 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: Kyrie Irving Re-Signed to Three-Year Contract
On July 7, 2023, Kyrie Irving re-signed to a three-year contract with the Dallas Mavericks, continuing his career with the team.
September 2023: Partnership with Anta Sports
In September 2023, Kyrie Irving announced a new partnership with Chinese sports brand Anta Sports, becoming Chief Creative Officer of Anta Basketball and launching a series of youth basketball camps.
December 2023: Investment in Kicks Crew
In December 2023, Kyrie Irving invested in sneaker platform Kicks Crew and joined the company as Chief Community Officer, focusing on cause-driven projects.
2023: Traded to Dallas Mavericks
In 2023, Kyrie Irving requested a trade from the Nets and was dealt to the Dallas Mavericks, marking another shift in his NBA career.
January 11, 2024: Irving scores 44 points with 10 assists against Knicks
On January 11, 2024, Kyrie Irving achieved a significant milestone by scoring 44 points and delivering 10 assists in a game against the New York Knicks, which the Mavericks won 128-124.
2024: NBA Finals Appearance with Mavericks
In 2024, Kyrie Irving reached his fourth NBA Finals with the Dallas Mavericks, highlighting his continued pursuit of championships.
2024: Namesake sneaker announced for NBA season
In September 2023, it was announced that a namesake sneaker was announced for the 2023–2024 NBA season, as part of Kyrie Irving's partnership with Anta Sports.
