In 2011 Irving announced that he would leave Duke University and enter the NBA draft.; which he was the Number 1 overall pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers. He got off to a fast start he had ten 20+ point games. Including a loss to the Nets where he dropped 32 points in which 21 were in the 4th quarter alone. Both Kyrie and Tristan Thompson where named to the 2012 Rising Stars Challenge. He scored 34 points that game earning MVP honors. Irving won 2012 Rookie of the Year Award. Also unanimously selected to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. Over that season he Averaged 18.5 PPG and 5.4 AST.
2012-2013 Season Irving injured index finger on Nov 17 in loss to Mavs. Which caused him to miss 3 weeks. In second game back they played Knicks and Kyrie scored career high of 41 points becoming youngest player in NBA history to score 40+ points in Madison Square Garden. Kyrie selected to 2013 NBA All-Star game, he won NBA 3PT Shootout and also participated in Rising Stars game with 32 points. |
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