How an NBA star is looking to switch his national allegiances to play for Australia at the 2028 LA Olympics

How an NBA star is looking to switch his national allegiances to play for Australia at the 2028 LA Olympics

NBA superstar Kyrie Irving is reportedly eyeing up a switch to play for Australia at the 2028 Olympic Games.

The Dallas Mavericks guard, 32, won gold with the United States at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Irving, who was born in Melbourne in 1992, had previously been touted to join up with the Australian basketball squad for the 2012 Games in London.

However, the 2016 NBA champion and 9-time All Star opted not to join up with his birth country for the Games, instead carving out his pathway to represent America at the 2016 Games in Rio.

But it appears Irving, who was omitted from the US team’s squad at the 2024 Games, is now looking to qualify for the Australian Olympic side, according to Code Sports.

The outlet states that the Victorian-born superstar is in talks with Basketball Australia over the move with both sides understood to be keen to have him onboard.

Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving is reportedly looking to switch his national allegiances to represent Australia at the 2028 Olympics

Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving is reportedly looking to switch his national allegiances to represent Australia at the 2028 Olympics 

Irving won gold with the USA during the 2016 Summer Games in Rio, but was omitted from the squad that travelled to Paris last year

Irving won gold with the USA during the 2016 Summer Games in Rio, but was omitted from the squad that travelled to Paris last year 

Irving (right) said after Monday's All Stars game that he had been looking to 'figure out' the best route for him to qualify for Australia

Irving (right) said after Monday’s All Stars game that he had been looking to ‘figure out’ the best route for him to qualify for Australia  

Following the NBA All Star’s match on Monday, in which Kyrie Irving scored seven points for Shaq’s OGs, the Dallas star revealed he has been looking at ways he can qualify to play for the Boomers.

‘Man, we’re in the process of that right now, just trying to figure out the best route for me to be eligible,’ he told reporters.

‘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.’

He had opened up on the idea to potentially turn out for Australia at the Los Angeles Olympics during an interview with The Athletic last year.

‘I would love to entertain playing for Team Australia,’ Irving said.

‘I don’t think it’s a strong, strong possibility at this point, depending on what the Olympic Committee does. But as a compeтιтor, I was born in Australia.

‘For me, it’s not a hard transition to make, but I don’t want to fall into the same, I would say, probably like — I’m trying to be very intentional with my words here. 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.’

Related Posts

NBA owner makes record 5m bid to buy WNBA team and relocate to Boston… but sale could have compeтιтion

NBA owner makes record $325m bid to buy WNBA team and relocate to Boston… but sale could have compeтιтion

The group led by former NBA owner Steve Pagliuca has officially made a record $325million offer to by the Connecticut Sun. However, his bid might not be…

Chicago Bulls’ uncontested fast break goes hilariously wrong as Torrey Craig throws himself an alley-oop off the backboard only to be thwarted by TEAMMATE Andre Drummond: ‘They both missed!’

Chicago Bulls’ uncontested fast break goes hilariously wrong as Torrey Craig throws himself an alley-oop off the backboard only to be thwarted by TEAMMATE Andre Drummond: ‘They both missed!’

Most watched Sport videos Chicago Bulls forward Torrey Craig thought he had an uncontested fast break in Tuesday’s loss to the New York Knicks. Teammate Andre Drummond…

Draymond Green asks Warriors teammate Klay Thompson for his ‘brutally honest’ take on his frequent ejections for Golden State: ‘We just need you’

Draymond Green asks Warriors teammate Klay Thompson for his ‘brutally honest’ take on his frequent ejections for Golden State: ‘We just need you’

Most watched Sport videos Draymond Green was given a heartfelt reply by his Golden State Warriors teammate Klay Thompson when he asked the guard for his ‘brutally…

Tennessee judge rules NBA star Ja Morant DID act in self-defense when Grizzlies guard punched a teenager during a pickup basketball game at his Memphis mansion

Tennessee judge rules NBA star Ja Morant DID act in self-defense when Grizzlies guard punched a teenager during a pickup basketball game at his Memphis mansion

Most watched Sport videos A Tennessee judge has ruled that Ja Morant acted in self defense when the Grizzlies star punched a teenager at his Memphis mansion…

Devin Booker laughs off claims on social media that he’s the ‘NBA player’ being filmed getting a wig fitted: ‘Yall got me messed up lol’

Devin Booker laughs off claims on social media that he’s the ‘NBA player’ being filmed getting a wig fitted: ‘Yall got me messed up lol’

Most watched Sport videos Devin Booker laughed off fans’ accusations about the Phoenix Suns star having fake hair. The jokes came after a video of an alleged…

Pregnant wife of ex-NBA star who was attacked by a SHARK breaks her silence as she shares horrifying details of ‘the worst day of my life’

Pregnant wife of ex-NBA star who was attacked by a SHARK breaks her silence as she shares horrifying details of ‘the worst day of my life’

The pregnant wife of a basketball star who was bitten by a shark has taken to social media to recount the details of the terrifying attack. After…