Kyrie Irving is taking serious steps toward a potential shift in his Olympic basketball career. While he previously hinted at the possibility of representing Australia at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, he has now confirmed that the process is actively underway.
Having won an Olympic gold medal with Team USA in 2016, Irving is currently navigating the complex eligibility requirements to join the Australian national team. The veteran guard is putting together an impressive season with the Mavericks, averaging 24.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.8 assists across 44 games.
“Man, we’re in the process of that right now, just trying to figure out the best route for me to be eligible,” Irving shared.
“There’s a lot of paperwork involved. Obviously, USA still has a decision to make, but for me, I’m just trying to do what’s best. Honestly, if I can be an Aussie at one point in my career and play for the Australian team, that would be great.”
Irving has been constant with his stance that he is serious about playing for Australia.
After a recent matchup against Mavericks teammate and fellow Australian Josh Green, he admitted the moment felt surreal:
“It was awkward. I’m not gonna lie to you, especially when he made that last defensive rebound. That is a Josh Green play all the way through… Hopefully I get to see him on the Aussie team soon.”
In addition to Green, Irving has strong ties with other Boomers players, including Dante Exum and Dyson Daniels, whom he often refers to as his “Aussie brother.”
While speaking with The Athletic in October, Irving acknowledged his admiration for the Boomers and his willingness to consider a national team switch, though he was aware of the obstacles.
“I would love to entertain playing for Team Australia, man. 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… I don’t want to fall into the trap of being let down or disappointed when I know that there are other opportunities out there for me.”
Despite Irving’s interest in representing Australia, the path to making it happen remains uncertain. He was left off Team USA’s roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics, despite expressing interest in playing and having discussions with managing director Grant Hill.
“I had communication with Grant throughout the season, but I think it was more or less a surprise that I wanted to play,” Irving previously told The Athletic.
“I think it was just a surprise that I wanted to play and [that] I was engaged. I speak on this from a healthy standpoint, like let me make sure that’s clear too. It wasn’t jealousy. It was like, ‘Oh, OK, this means that there’s an extra motivation, just naturally, where, OK, I guess 2028 [is the plan]?’ And maybe it’s not for Team USA. I’m just really proud of the [Team USA] guys, at the end of the day.”
Former Boomers star Andrew Bogut, however, remains sceptical about the feasibility of Irving’s transition, pointing out that Team USA and FIBA would likely make it difficult for him to switch national teams.
“I think the Team USA doors are closed for him,” Bogut said on his Rogue Bogues podcast. “I think with all the stuff that he’s been through the last four or five years, they probably wanted to stray away from Kyrie, and I think he knows that.”
Bogut also explained the rarity of a player switching from one first-world national team to another:
“For people getting excited, first and foremost, USA Basketball will do everything they can to block it. Secondly, you rarely see a first-world nation player go to another first-world nation. FIBA doesn’t typically allow that. I’d love to see him play for the Boomers, but let’s be real—getting FIBA and Team USA to sign off on that? Not likely.”
Irving himself has acknowledged these barriers, revealing that Team USA previously prevented him from representing Australia when he was younger.
“I consider myself an international player even though I played on Team USA,” Irving explained. “A lot of my peers laugh at me when I bring it up, 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 (Mike Krzyzewski) wasn’t going to let that happen either,” he added.
If Irving does receive approval from FIBA and Team USA, his addition could significantly boost the Boomers as they aim for a historic Olympic run in 2028. However, at 36 years old by the time of the Los Angeles Games, his age could factor into Australia’s decision-making process.
Still, with his championship pedigree, elite skill set, and leadership, Irving could be an invaluable asset for the Boomers. The coming years will determine whether he can overcome the administrative hurdles and officially make the switch.
“I would love to entertain playing for Team Australia, but I don’t want to fall into the trap of being let down or disappointed when I know there are other opportunities out there for me,” Irving reiterated.
For now, his future on the international stage remains uncertain, but his desire to don the green and gold is clearer than ever.
Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.
