Should Kyrie Irving Represent Australia in the Olympics? Sparking a Heated Debate
The next time Team USA will suit up for the Summer Olympics is still a few years away. That said, the next iteration of the US squad will likely look vastly different from past squads. A few prominent names are expected to not be around by then, while others have time to step up and prove why they should be honored with representing their country in Los Angeles. There is one name that has the potential to go a different path for the 2028 Olympics: Kyrie Irving to Australia. If that happens, where do the Boomers stack up as threats to the US?
Could Australia’s 2028 Olympics Shift If Kyrie Irving Is a Boomer?
Team USA Could Have a Threat Outside of France If Kyrie Irving Joined Team Australia in the 2028 Olympics
France has come the closest in rivaling Team USA for the gold medal for the past two Olympics. They fell to the Americans in Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024. Before France’s two consecutive finals appearances, Serbia and Spain were the runner-ups, but Team USA also came out on top. One country not listed here is Australia. The Boomers have carried some respectable rosters in the past few summer games. However, they have not yet built a roster meant for competing and challenging the best of the best for Olympic glory. However, there could be a shift in the waters that might move Australia closer to the likes of France, Spain, and Serbia when challenging the US.
This shift comes from Irving, who has recently expressed interest in playing for Team Australia in the Olympics. The NBA champion has spent most of his life in the United States. Kyrie was born in Melbourne, though, which is the second largest and most populated city down under. Irving has seen time playing for Team USA, winning gold in Rio 2016. Since then, he has been overlooked for the Olympic rosters. Whether or not he would make the 2028 squad is uncertain and too soon to speculate. Considering that LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Steph Curry are the three likely candidates to not play in 2028, that’s three spots open to others. However, Kyrie appears more interested in playing for the team representing his birthplace.
A Kyrie-Australian team could include several other key NBA players, such as Josh Giddey, Ben Simmons, Josh Green, Dante Exum, Matisse Thybulle, and Dyson Daniels. Veterans like Joe Ingles and Patty Mills are questionable to be around still but could stick around as veterans.
Going Through FIBA & Paperwork
Kyrie insinuated that playing for Australia would be an honor and spoke to as much over the All-Star weekend festivities. However, switching countries isn’t as easy as trading jerseys after a game. As Irving explains, there are a lot of back-end details that have to be worked out with FIBA and Team USA.
“We’re in the process of that right now, just trying to figure out what’s going to be the best route for me to be eligible. There’s a lot of paperwork in between that. Team USA still has a decision to make.” Irving continued, “I’m just trying to do what’s best for me. Honestly, if I can be an Aussie at one point in my career and play for the Australian team, that would be great.”
The Australian reporter who questioned Kyrie also asked the Dallas Mavericks superstar which side he would choose if there were to be a Team World vs. Team USA match. Kyrie chose Team World for competition’s sake—an admirable move. It’s all about competition, something that the NBA has to continue to address with its own brand as it relates to the All-Star game.
