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Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving has spent his national team duty as part of Team USA to this point in his career. However, Irving is in process of trying to make the switch to represent Australia on the national level.

"Man, we’re in the process of that right now, just trying to figure out the best route for me to be eligible," Irving said of switching to play for Australia. "There’s a lot of paperwork involved. Obviously, USA (Basketball) 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 was born in Australia, which would have made him eligible to represent the country on the national team level. The All-Star guard explained that in the past he was encouraged to play for Team USA instead, which he did at the 2014 FIBA World Cup and the 2016 Olympics. Now, if Irving can get the clearances, he'd like to suit up for Australia in future competition.

Via Andrew Jackson/FOX Sports Australia

about bloody time mate

Lol.

It's always something with this m'fer.

Hard pass, go join Ben Simmons not playing for Australia

Would love to have him play for the boomers! They might actually have a chance to win it all with Kyrie.

Kyrie is my favorite player but come on… you grew up in Jersey not Australia

Thechicagorilla wrote:Kyrie is my favorite player but come on… you grew up in Jersey not Australia

oh well. the guy loves to hoop and playing on a global stage is something he enjoys and thrives in. If the USA won’t use him why not play for the Aussies. It’s not like he’s been getting that much love in America anyway. I don’t blame him

Thechicagorilla wrote:Kyrie is my favorite player but come on… you grew up in Jersey not Australia

He was born in Australia in think was here till 3 years old so should be an Aussie citizen.. Seems pretty fair.. Now Embiid is a different story how he played for team USA is a joke..

AussieRules wrote:Would love to have him play for the boomers! They might actually have a chance to win it all with Kyrie.

They have zero chance either way.. Is kyrie good good for sure.. Good enough to overcome the talent deficit nope.

Makes sense to me. No shade, but it's not like he's going to contend for rings anymore so why not enjoy summers playing internationally?

If Germany can contend then there's no reason why he can't get on a heater in one tournament and get them a medal in the world championships or an Olympics. Dyson Daniels is blossoming too, so you never know.

With the exception of a potential civil war or refugee/asylum type of situation, if an athlete has already represented one nation in the Olympics, I don't think an athlete should be able to change nationalities they represent like it is free agency, no matter the athlete/country/sport. But I am just a viewer.

With that being said, I would expect for the Olympics to allow for this to happen because it has the potential to both increase the overall talent-pool of athletes at the Olympics, and it could create an additional story-line, both of which have the potential to increase the # of viewers - which is the ultimate goal for those who have invested in the Olympics.