NBA superstar Kyrie Irving could defect to Australia for Los Angeles Olympics after three-time gold medal winner was shunned by Team USA
- Was born in Melbourne before moving to America
- Wanted to play for Australia as a teenager
- Could make a dramatic change on American soil
The Australian Boomers could be packing a real NBA weapon if they play in the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 – and that’s not counting Ben Simmons.
As former No. 1 draft pick Simmons continues to decline the opportunity to represent his country due to ongoing injury concerns, another former No. 1 selection has indicated they are interested in a shock switch to the Australian Boomers.
Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving has won three gold medals playing for Team USA, at the junior level, at the Olympic Games and at the FIBA World Cup.
But after being snubbed from the 2024 Games in Paris, he has set his sights on a dramatic switch to play against the US on home soil.
Irving was born in Melbourne before moving to the US at the age of two.
Although he would be 36 years old by the time the Games start in Los Angeles, the eight-time NBA All-Star is eager to play in green and gold.
Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving was born in Australia and wants to represent his native country at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles
After crashing out of the medal rankings at the Paris Olympics, the Aussie Boomers would welcome a player of Irving’s experience and skill
“I would love to play for Team Australia, man,” Irving told The Athletic.
“I don’t think that’s a strong possibility at this point, depending on what the Olympic Committee does.
‘But as a competitor, I was born in Australia.
“For me, it’s not a difficult transition to make, but I don’t want to be in the same situation, I would say, probably something like, I’m trying to be very intentional with my words here.
“I don’t want to fall into the trap of being let down or disappointed when I know there are other options for me.”
It’s not the first time Irving has tried to play for Australia.
Irving previously won a gold medal with Team USA at the 2016 Rio Olympics
The Mavericks star admitted in 2023 that he wanted to play for his native country, only for Team USA to block the move when he was 17 years old.
“I consider myself an international player, even though I played on Team USA,” Irving said on a Twitch stream.
“Many of my colleagues laugh at me when I bring it up and some fans may disagree, but I was born in Australia.
“Team USA asked me to play for them when I was 17 or 18. I wanted to play for Australia but it just didn’t happen.
“Coach K (former Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski) wouldn’t let that happen either.”
Irving would need both Team USA and FIBA to clear him to play for Australia for the move to become a reality.
Irving previously revealed he wanted to play for Australia soon, but the move was blocked by Team USA
The electric guard also admitted that he was disappointed not to be part of the squad for the Paris Olympics, especially as he was not given the same opportunities to make the final squad as in previous years.
“I won’t say it was hurtful not to be able to try it out, but it was just weird that we couldn’t try it out and come together as a group because the American team isn’t just 12 or 15 guys. ‘ he said.
“I played for Team USA when I was 17, 18. I won three gold medals. I won when I was 18, when I was 22, and I won one when I was 24. So there is something proud, and I have history.
“There was such a great competitive pool to test yourself against because it’s the best in the world. You don’t get the chance to counter every day [players of that caliber].’