By james art CLEVELAND (Olympics) – Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving has decided not to make Australia’s 2012 Olympic team.
The number one pick in the 2011 NBA draft was born in Australia while his American father played professionally in Melbourne.
He has dual citizenship.
Irving was the leading player for the United States at the 2010 FIBA Americas U18 Men’s Championship before attending Duke University for a year and playing for Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski.
He announced his decision to remain with USA Basketball on Monday night following Cleveland’s 109-100 loss to Utah.
“It was the right decision,” Irving said.
“I found out that Coach K will be coaching (Team USA) in 2016.
“It made my decision much easier to play for my coach again.
“That was the deciding factor.”
However, USA Basketball president Jerry Colangelo told ESPN on Monday night that the coaching position for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games “has not been discussed at all.”
Irving, who turns 20 on March 23, is averaging 18.6 points per game and is a leading contender for the NBA Rookie of the Year award.
FIBA