One in a weekly series of previews of potential choices with the Cleveland Cavaliers' first-round picks in the upcoming NBA draft.
Name: Kyrie Irving
College: Duke
Position: Guard
Ht/Wt: 6-2/180.
Born: March 23, 1992 in Melbourne, Australia
Hometown: West Orange, N.J.
Scouting report: Irving remains the projected No. 1 pick despite sitting since tearing a toe ligament Dec. 4, according to many observers, including probasketball-draft.com. He's a playmaker and scorer, a coveted point guard who can affect a team immediately. He has great range on his jumper, impressive speed and agility. Scouts praise his ability to play off pick-and-rolls. Not the best pure athlete, but quick to involve teammates and penetrate to create plays.
Cleveland connection: The Cavaliers reportedly are high on Irving and have him at the top of their draft list.
Projection: 1
Fast breaks
• Irving scored 31 points against Michigan State on Dec. 1, and appeared headed toward a solid freshman season when he suffered the toe injury in a game against Butler. He avoided surgery, but has been in a walking boot since the Dec. 4 injury. He warmed up with Duke before the Blue Devils played Maryland in the ACC quarterfinals earlier this week, causing speculation that he's close to returning to play.
• He was born in Melbourne, Australia while his father, Drederick Irving, played professional basketball for the Bulldeen Boomers. Irving lived in Australia for 1 1/2 years, and has dual citizenship in the United States and Australia. Drederick played at Boston University 1984-88, had his jersey retired and ranks second in BU history with 1,931 career points. Mother, Elizabeth, is deceased.
• Through the eight games he played for Duke, he led the team with 17.4 points on 53.2-percent scoring. He also averaged 5.1 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.5 steals.
• Irving played for the 2010 Junior National Select team, which played at the Nike Hoop Summit that year. He also was selected to play in the McDonald's All-America Game and the Jordan Brand Classic last year, where he was co-MVP with Harrison Barnes. Led USA Under-18 team to a 5-0 record and gold medal in the 2010 FIBA Americas U18 Championship, where he averaged 13.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.6 steals.
• Favorite athlete is Chris Paul.