Kyrie Irving is an American professional basketball player for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
He was born on March 23, 1992, in Melbourne, Australia, and stands at 6 feet 2 inches tall, weighing 195 pounds.
Irving is widely considered one of the best ball handlers of all time, having won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for the 2014 All-Star Game and an NBA championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016.
He played college basketball for the Duke Blue Devils before being selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the first overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft.
Irving is a eight-time All-Star and three-time member of the All-NBA Team.
He has also played for the Boston Celtics and the Brooklyn Nets.
| Net worth | $90 million |
| Profession | Basketball player |
| Date of birth | March 23, 1992 |
| Nationality | American |
Background
Irving was born in Melbourne, Australia, to American expatriates Drederick Irving and Elizabeth Irving.
He has an older sister, Asia, and a younger sister, London.
Irving’s father, Drederick, played college basketball at Boston University.
He was born left-handed but was discouraged in Catholic school.
He holds dual citizenship.
Irving’s parents, Drederick and Elizabeth, are of African-American and Lakota ethnicity on Elizabeth’s side.
Elizabeth passed away due to a skin disease when she was 29, and Irving has kept her memory alive by visiting the Standing Rock Sioux Nation.
Drederick is a former basketball player who was an All-City selection at Adlai Stevenson High School in the Bronx and went on to have a storied career at Boston University, finishing as the school’s all-time leading scorer in 1988.
He played for Australia’s Bulleen Boomers for a few years before settling down in Australia with his wife and son.
After his wife’s death, he raised his son by himself and put an end to his own basketball career to return with his son to the United States, so that Irving could pursue his own basketball dreams.
Net worth
Irving’s net worth in 2024 is estimated to be around $90 million.
He has earned his wealth through his basketball career, including his salary and endorsements.
Irving has been a professional basketball player since 2011, when he was selected as the first overall pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA draft.
Throughout his career, he has played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, and Brooklyn Nets, winning the NBA championship with the Cavaliers in 2016.
Irving has also been selected to the NBA All-Star team eight times and won the Rookie of the Year award in 2012.
In addition to his NBA earnings, he has also earned money through endorsements with brands such as Nike, Pepsi and Skullcandy.
However, Nike terminated its endorsement deal with Irving in 2022 due to his antisemitic social media post, which caused significant backlash.
Irving has since signed a new sneaker deal with Chinese sports apparel giant Anta.
After signing a three-year, $126 million contract to return to the Dallas Mavericks on June 30, 2024, his net worth is expected to grow further.
Salary and contracts
Irving is currently in the final season of a four-year, $136 million contract that he signed with the Brooklyn Nets in 2019.
He is set to make $37,037,037 during the 2023-24 NBA season.
After being traded to the Dallas Mavericks, Irving signed a three-year, $126 million contract extension with the team, which will keep him in Dallas until the 2025-26 season.
This new deal will push Irving’s career earnings over $275 million, with the likelihood of him receiving one more deal after this one.
Before joining the Mavericks, Irving played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, and Brooklyn Nets.
His career earnings through the 2022-23 season are estimated to be around $233 million, and his estimated career earnings through the 2026-27 season are $359 million.
Irving is known for his offensive skills and has been an eight-time All-Star in his career.
He has helped lead franchises to success, including winning the 2016 NBA Championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Endorsement deals
Irving has signed a five-year endorsement deal with Chinese sportswear brand ANTA, which also includes the position of Chief Creative Officer.
This deal allows Irving to recruit other athletes and collaborators to join the brand, as well as bring manufacturing to the United States, helping expand ANTA’s footprint stateside.
Irving previously had a shoe deal with Nike, which produced his own signature line, but the relationship was suspended in November and then terminated in December after he promoted an anti-Semitic film on his social media accounts and was initially unapologetic when given multiple chances to address the situation.
ANTA is a Chinese sportswear brand that was created in 1991 and describes itself as the “leading sportswear company in China.”
The brand has a portfolio that includes Fila and Wilson, and other endorsers include NBA players Klay Thompson and Gordon Hayward.
The financial details of Irving’s deal with ANTA have not been disclosed.
However, with his new three-year, $126 million contract with the Dallas Mavericks, Irving’s net worth is expected to grow further in the coming years.
Nike contract
Irving had a shoe deal with Nike that was reportedly about $11 million per year.
However, Nike terminated its partnership with Irving in December 2022 after he promoted an anti-Semitic film on social media.
The company canceled the launch of his next signature shoe, the Kyrie 8, and had no intention of renewing the deal even before the controversy.
Nike released a statement expressing its stance on hate speech and antisemitism, stating that there is no place for such speech in their company.
Irving’s deal with Nike was set to expire after the 2022-2023 season, and he had no other shoe deal at that time.
In July 2023, Irving signed a new shoe deal with Chinese sportswear brand ANTA, serving as the Chief Creative Officer at the company.
The details of the lucrative new deal for Irving are yet to be disclosed, but the agreement grants him the authority to recruit players and collaborators, as well as initiating ANTA’s manufacturing process in the United States.
Real estate
Irving owns a three-bedroom, two-bathroom penthouse loft in Union City, New Jersey, which he purchased for $925,000 in 2019.
This property features an open floor plan, exposed brick, and a designer kitchen with stainless steel appliances, offering sweeping views of the New York City skyline.
Irving’s sister, Asia Irving, also owns a unit in the same building.
In addition to the Union City loft, Irving owns a nine-bedroom, seven-bathroom estate in West Orange, New Jersey, which he purchased for $1.17 million.
This mid-century contemporary home, situated on 2 acres of land, features cathedral ceilings, detailed moldings, and stone and hardwood floors.
The home also includes both an indoor and outdoor pool, several entertaining spaces, and an open-concept living space.
Irving’s real estate portfolio also includes a $3.7 million mansion in Los Angeles, which he purchased amidst rumors of joining the Lakers.
This acquisition has fueled speculation about his potential move to the Lakers, as it suggests that Irving is preparing for a move to the city of Angels.
Car collection
Irving has a notable car collection that includes several high-end and luxury vehicles.
He is known to have a fondness for the Audi R8, and he owns at least two of them, one in black and one in white.
The Audi R8 is a high-performance sports car with a V-10 engine that delivers 602 horsepower and can launch from 0-60 mph in just four seconds.
Irving also owns a Ferrari 458 Italia, which is a powerful and luxurious sports car.
He fell in love with this car while playing for the Duke University Blue Devils and took a test drive at a racetrack.
The F1-inspired Ferrari 458’s engine yields nearly 570 horsepower, and it can reach 0-60 mph in just 3.4 seconds.
In addition to the Audi R8 and Ferrari 458 Italia, Kyrie Irving owns a Lamborghini Aventador, which is a high-performance sports car with a V12 engine that delivers 740 horsepower.
The Aventador can reach 0-60 mph in just 2.9 seconds. He also owns a Lamborghini Aventador SV Roadster, which is a more powerful version of the Aventador.
The SV Roadster has a V12 engine that delivers 740 horsepower and it can reach 0-60 mph in just 2.8 seconds.
Irving has also been seen driving a 2014 Jeep Wrangler, which is a popular SUV among NBA players.
The Wrangler is known for its ruggedness and off-road capabilities.
He also received a 2012 Kia Sorento as part of the Rookie of the Year award when he was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2011.
It is unclear if he still owns this car, as some reports suggest that he donated it to a children’s foundation.
Irving has been rumored to be in the market for a Ferrari 458, which is a high-performance sports car with a V8 engine that delivers 570 horsepower.
He test-drove a Ferrari 458 when he was playing for the Duke University Blue Devils and enjoyed it so much that he now wants one of his own.
In addition to the black and white Audi R8s, Kyrie Irving also owns a silver Audi R8, which is a high-performance sports car with a V8 engine that delivers 430 horsepower.
High school career
Irving had an impressive high school basketball career in New Jersey.
He moved to the United States when he was two years old, following his father’s basketball career and attended Montclair Kimberley Academy in Montclair, New Jersey, for his freshman and sophomore years.
Irving then transferred to St. Patrick High School in Elizabeth, New Jersey, for his final two years of high school basketball.
During his time at St. Patrick, he played under coach Kevin Boyle, who is known for developing future NBA players.
Irving’s skills and talent were evident, as he led St. Patrick to a 29-3 record during his junior year and a 32-2 record in his senior year, winning back-to-back New Jersey Tournament of Champions titles.
Irving was named a McDonald’s All-American in 2010, a prestigious honor given to the top high school basketball players in the country.
He also played in the Jordan Brand Classic, another all-star game featuring the best high school players.
Irving’s impressive high school career earned him a scholarship to Duke University, where he played one season before declaring for the NBA draft.
His high school career was not just about his on-court performance as he was also known for his off-court philanthropy.
Pro career
Irving began his career as the first overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
He quickly rose to stardom, showcasing exceptional skills and earning accolades such as Rookie of the Year in 2012.
Irving’s career highlights include being named an NBA All-Star multiple times and winning the NBA championship with the Cavaliers in 2016, where his iconic three-pointer in Game 7 secured the team’s first franchise title.
Despite setbacks like injuries, Irving continued to excel on the court.
Off the court, he has been involved in various personal endeavors, including a vegan diet and philanthropic contributions.
However, his career has also been marked by controversies, such as a suspension due to posting controversial content and facing criticism for his actions.
Recently, there have been doubts about the continuation of his career due to various issues, including his off-court behavior and the response from team management and the NBA community.
Philanthropic efforts
Irving has been actively involved in philanthropy, making significant contributions to various causes over the years.
He donated $1.5 million to help cover the salaries of WNBA players who chose not to play during a WNBA season and has provided financial support to individuals and families in need, such as donating to victims of car accidents, apartment fires and those raising funds for charitable projects in Nigeria and Ghana.
Irving has also partnered with organizations like Feeding America, City Harvest, and the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City to distribute meals and essential supplies to those in need, especially during the pandemic.
He has supported educational initiatives by paying for students’ tuition, renovating school facilities and donating to organizations like Covenant House that help homeless and trafficked young people.
Additionally, Irving has contributed to causes related to social justice, such as donating to Moms of Black Boys United and buying a home for the family of George Floyd.
These efforts reflect Kyrie Irving’s commitment to making a positive impact on various communities and supporting causes that address social, educational, and humanitarian needs.
Personal life
Irving’s wife is Marlene Wilkerson, who was born in 1993 in Los Angeles, California.
She is an Instagram model and influencer with over 400,000 followers on Instagram and also has a YouTube channel called The Find with over 700,000 subscribers.
Wilkerson is of African-American and mixed ancestry.
The couple has been together since 2018 and has two children together, a son and a daughter.
Controversies
Irving has been involved in several controversies throughout his career, both on and off the court.
In 2017, he publicly claimed that the Earth is flat, sparking controversy and backlash.
He later clarified that he was joking, but the comments gained significant attention.
In October 2022, Irving tweeted a link to an anti-Semitic documentary, which led to criticism and an eight-game suspension.
He initially refused to apologize, but later issued a statement expressing remorse and donating to anti-hate organizations.
Irving has also been plagued by injuries throughout his career, which has limited his playing time.
He has missed games for personal reasons, including breaking COVID protocols by attending a birthday party without a mask.
Irving has also requested trades from both the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Brooklyn Nets, and has been critical of the media’s coverage of his actions and beliefs.
In 2022, Irving refused to get vaccinated against COVID-19, which kept him banned from Brooklyn Nets home games until late March.
He stated that he wanted to keep his vaccination status private and that it was his personal choice.
Irving has also endorsed various conspiracy theories, including those related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and the idea of a “new world order.”
He has expressed doubts about the 1969 moon landing.
Irving was suspended for at least five games in November 2022 after refusing to apologize for sharing the antisemitic documentary.
He was reinstated in December after issuing a statement expressing remorse and donating to anti-hate organizations.
In February 2023, Irving was traded to the Dallas Mavericks in a deal involving Dorian Finney-Smith, Spencer Dinwiddie, and several draft picks.
The trade was met with mixed reactions, with some expressing excitement about the potential of the Irving-Luka Doncic pairing, and others raising concerns about Irving’s off-court behavior and beliefs.
In December 2022, Nike ended its partnership with Irving following his promotion of the antisemitic documentary.
Irving had a signature shoe line with Nike, but the company decided to terminate the partnership due to the controversy.
