The 2011 No. 1 Pick: From Duke to Cleveland’s Chosen One
June 2011, Newark, New Jersey. When David Stern read "the Cleveland Cavaliers select Kyrie Irving," the Duke freshman officially became the No. 1 pick. He had played only one college season, yet the whole basketball world believed the Cavs bet right.
Irving’s start was unusual. Born in 1992 in Melbourne, his father Drederick was a Boston University starter who played overseas after retiring. Kyrie moved around with his dad, then starred at St. Patrick High School in New Jersey. As a senior he was a top national point guard and made the U.S. youth team.
Drawn to Coach K, Irving chose Duke. In 2010-11 a toe injury limited him to 11 games, but 17.5 points on over 50% shooting showed beyond-his-years maturity. In one game vs Michigan State he dropped 31, and the nation remembered the lefty.
Before the draft, Irving was seen as the most "NBA-ready" guard of his class. Cleveland, just out of the LeBron James era, needed a cornerstone. The pick landing on Irving felt like destiny.
As a rookie he rewarded the trust: 18.5 points, 5.4 assists, Rookie of the Year, Rising Stars MVP. He proved one thing — even with one college year, true talent needs no more setup. From Duke to Cleveland, Irving was tagged "chosen one" from the start, and a decade on, his clutch shots say the crown fit.
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