Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving has expressed interest in playing for Australia in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics if he is not selected for Team USA.
Born in Melbourne before relocating to the United States as an infant, Irving has represented the USA at both the 2014 FIBA World Cup and the 2016 Olympics, winning gold medals on both occasions.
However, he was notably absent from the 2024 Paris Olympic team, which reignited his thoughts about playing for his country of birth.
In an interview with The Athletic, Irving shared his enthusiasm for the possibility:
“I would love to entertain playing for Team Australia, man,” he said. “I don’t think it’s a strong, 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 hard transition to make.”
Irving’s dual citizenship and his deep connection to Australia have made this idea more than just a passing thought. While he has a strong history with Team USA, the snub for the 2024 Olympics has opened up new possibilities for him. Australian basketball fans have long dreamed of seeing Irving don the green and gold, and his potential participation could be a significant boost for the Australian team.
