Which colleges did Kyrie Irving consider before joining Duke University? All you need to know
Kyrie Irving is in the midst of another great season, as he's averaging 26.1 points per game, 4.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 0.8 steals and a career-high 1.0 blocks per game. The Brooklyn Nets star is shooting 49.0% from the field, 33.7% from the 3-point range and 91.7% from the free-throw line.
While Irving played his college basketball at Duke University, there were plenty of schools interested in the seven-time All-Star before his college commitment. Aside from Duke, Irving had visits with the University of Kentucky, Indiana University, Texas A&M University, Seton Hall University and Georgia Tech.
There were also reports that Irving would team up with future NBA Finals opponent Harrison Barnes at either Duke or the University of North Carolina. While Irving chose to attend Duke, Barnes wound up spending two seasons at the Blue Devils rival scchool.
Watch Kyrie Irving's Duke University highlights below:
Kyrie Irving's college stats
Kyrie Irving spent one season at Duke University before being selected first overall in the 2011 NBA Draft. While he battled injuries throughout the year, appearing in just 11 games, he had a great season while he was on the court.
Irving averaged 17.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.5 blocks per game. The three-time All-NBA selection is one of only nine players to have a season shooting at least 50.0% from the field, 40.0% from the 3-point range and 90.0% from the free-throw line in college. He shot 52.9% from the field, 46.2% from the 3-point range and 90.1% from the free-throw line.
Irving had the best game of his college career against Michigan State University, scoring 31 points. He added six rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks while shooting 8-12 from the field, 2-3 from the 3-point range and 13-16 from the free-throw line. The Blue Devils star set his career high for points, rebounds, and blocks in that contest.
Unfortunately, for Irving and Duke University, he would only play one more game during the regular season, as he suffered a severe injury to his right big toe. That cost him the remainder of the regular season.
Watch Kyrie Irving's highlights below:
Irving returned for the NCAA tournament, helping the Blue Devils to consecutive wins before bowing out in the Sweet Sixteen.
Coming off of the bench in that season-ending loss to the University of Arizona, Irving finished with 28 points while shooting 9-15 from the field, 2-4 from the 3-point range and 8-9 from the free-throw line.