Kyrie Irving considered many possibilities this week when deciding his future, and the lure of playing in the NBA proved strongest of all.
"Deciding to go to the NBA is my ultimate dream," Irving, a Duke freshman, said Thursday, the day after deciding to leave school and enter the June 23 draft. "I've been dreaming about it for a while.
"Having the opportunity to be such a high pick at such a young age is an opportunity that many people won't pass up."
Irving, a 6-foot-2 point guard, is expected to be at least a lottery pick (one of the first 14 selections), but he could be the No. 1 overall pick.
He did think of returning to Duke for the chance at a full season after playing only 11 games this past season because of a right foot injury.
He also thought about having another shot at the NCAA tournament title, after Duke lost in the West Regional semifinals.
"I definitely considered it, based on the fact of how much it hurt to lose," Irving said. "That was a devastating loss for me. It was weighing on my shoulders for about two weeks."
He said he didn't feel compelled to leave because he feared another injury that might compromise his draft status.
"If I was really worried about my injury, I wouldn't have come back during the NCAA tournament," he said.
Irving will hire an agent, which will end his college eligibility, but he doesn't have one in mind. His father, Drederick Irving, is talking to NBA teams from the family home in West Orange, N.J., and handling other matters related to the decision until an agent is selected.
Irving missed 26 games after seriously injuring his right big toe Dec. 4, then came back to play in three NCAA tournament games.
He said he feels ready for the NBA because he improved at Duke, even by attending team meetings, watching practices and breaking down game video while he was injured.
Irving averaged 17.4 points and 5.1 assists in eight games before the injury. He averaged 17.7 points and two assists in the NCAA tournament.
"When everyone sees 'Duke' on our chest, they're going to give us their best shot," Irving said. "Being in that position all the time every night is what makes you better. If I'm not prepared, I'm not going to give it my all.
"That's something in high school I struggled with, where I would have on and off days where if I didn't feel like playing I would have a couple of bad quarters. Coach K told me right from the beginning I couldn't take any plays off."
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