RIO DE JANEIRO – When the Team USA men’s basketball squad makes the rounds at the opening ceremony of the Olympics Friday, they’re sure to be swarmed by fellow athletes who want to take a selfie as a souvenir.
Yet as Kyrie Irving sees it, the feeling will be mutual – especially when he sees Michael Phelps.
“Michael Phelps is definitely on my list,” the Cleveland Cavaliers point guard said with a smile before Friday practice at the Flamengo Club in downtown Rio.
Irving has been a fan of the 18-time gold-medal winning swimmer for some time, but his admiration grew recently when he watched a story chronicling Phelps’ life and on ESPN.
“I had no idea (what he had been through in recent years),” Irving said of the piece that discussed Phelps’ DUI, his time in rehab and his recent reunion with his father after their relationship was strained. “And to know what he was battling up against, and to (see) that the platform he’s still on as arguably the best swimmer ever, I’m excited to meet him. I’m excited to ask him questions, and really just pick his brain about that greatness which he’s been striving for for years. Obviously you can see I’m very excited to meet Michael Phelps.”
While this is Irving’s first time competing in the Olympics, he’s no stranger to the national team experience. He led the American team to a gold medal during the FIBA World Cup in Spain two years ago, and now finds himself playing that same pivotal role as the Americans attempt to win gold for the third consecutive Games.
Irving was born in Melbourne, Australia during his father’s time playing professionally there but grew up in New Jersey. He considered playing for the Australian team leading up to the 2012 Games. Yet for Irving, the history and tradition that comes with playing for Americans always drew his attention.
“Seeing the comparisons of having the 2008 Redeem Team vs. the 1992 Dream Team – who would be better? I love that,” he said. “It’s what makes the history of basketball great, all the comparisons everyone wants to draw. Who’s better? Who would be guarding who? That’s when I really knew, I was like, ‘If I could ever be part of USA Basketball, this would be a lifetime (memory) if I can accomplish it.”
And to get a selfie with Michael Phelps along the way? Even better.
