Kyrie Irving has expressed his intention to switch his national allegiance from Team USA to Team Australia, a move that has garnered the support of Australian basketball legend Andrew Gaze. After participating in this week’s NBA All-Star event, the Melbourne-born Irving confirmed he is exploring ways to join the Australian squad in time for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Gaze, an iconic former captain of the Boomers and a five-time Olympian, reacted enthusiastically to the prospect of Irving donning the green and gold, praising his exceptional talent and performance. Despite concerns about Irving’s age—he will be 36 by the time of the Olympics—Gaze remains optimistic about his potential contributions alongside emerging players such as Dyson Daniels and Josh Giddey.
Irving, a nine-time NBA All-Star and champion, highlighted the complexity of the transition, mentioning the necessary paperwork and considerations regarding his eligibility. He expressed a genuine desire to represent Australia later in his career, stating, “If I can be an Aussie… that would be great.” With Irving’s elite skills, hopes are high that he could lead the Boomers to Olympic glory.