Irving odlučuje USA ili Australija, siguran sam da pola populacije iz zemlje klokana drži fige
NEW YORK: Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving would make a
decision shortly about whether he would opt to play for Australia at the
London Olympics.
Irving, who was born in Australia while his father was playing in
Melbourne and holds dual US and Australian citizenship, has justified
his choice as number one overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft with a
sparkling rookie season.
Australia selectors have made no secret of their interest in the
19-year-old, who is averaging 18.3 points and 5.1 assists per game after
leaving Duke University for the NBA, and Irving has expressed interest
in playing in the London Games.
"I'm not sure, it's still up in the air. I haven't made a decision yet,"
he told reporters before Cleveland's game against the Knicks at Madison
Square Garden. "You'll probably hear about it in the next week or so
what decision I make."
Irving would face a technical hurdle to joining the Australians since he
represented the US at the under-18 level last year and would have to
appeal to the International Basketball Federation ( FIBA) to switch his
eligibility.
Coupled with that is the fact the US Olympic team head coach is Duke University's Mike Krzyzewski.
Irving said Krzyzewski has encouraged him to play for the US Select
team, which serves as a feeder programme for the Olympic squad and could
pave the way for him to make the US team for the 2016 Games in Rio.
"We've talked about it a little bit. We haven't gone into details," he said. "It's up to me."
Despite an abundance of point guards, including Derrick Rose, Chris
Paul, Eric Gordon, Russell Westbrook and Deron Williams, available for a
US, Irving admitted that a future chance to play Olympic basketball for
the country was a factor.
"Oh yeah, definitely. That weighs on it," he added. "(But) what's best
for me and my family and my career, that's what it's about."