ANAHEIM, Calif. - Duke freshman point guard Kyrie Irving said late Thursday night that he doesn’t know whether he will return to the Blue Devils next season.
Irving is projected as one of the top picks in the NBA draft after a season that was interrupted for 3 ½ months because of an injury to his right big toe.
“Right now, I’m thinking about next year,” he said shortly after the game. “I’m not definitely guaranteeing I’m coming back. I’ll sit down with the coaching staff after the NCAA tournament and go from there.”
Irving said the deciding factor will be what’s best for him and his family.
“I’m not really thinking about whether this was my last game or not,” he said. “I would love to wear the Duke uniform again. At this point, I don’t want to take it off. That’s all I’m going to say.”
Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski didn’t comment on Irving’s future when asked after the game.
“You think I just grabbed him and talked to him about that?” Krzyzewski said. “I just hugged him because he’s crying. I’m not talking to him about going pro. Those things will happen in due time.”
Irving led Duke with 28 points in its season-ending, 93-77 loss to Arizona late Thursday night. In three games after returning from the toe injury, he totaled 53 points.
Photo: Duke's Kyrie Irving shoots over Arizona's Lamont Jones. CHUCK LIDDY - cliddy@newsobserver.com
Comments
let his ass go!!!!!!coach
Fri, 03/25/2011 - 23:46 — toddchrisslet his ass go!!!!!!coach k sold his team,aka , smith and singler down the river last night!!!!!!! instead of going with what got him there, smith running the show, he took the ball out of the seniors hands and put it in a freshman,he is good but il be damned if i dont let my seniors run the show!!!!!!!irving scored 28 but so could smith and he knew how to get singlar involved and everybody else!!!!!!
Nolan
Sat, 03/26/2011 - 13:49 — melvinfurdSmith played 34 minutes, was 3-14 from the floor (0-3 from 3PT range), 2-4 from the charity stripe, had 2 assists and 6 turnovers. It looks to me like the Rat went with Smith and Smith failed to produce.
My thoughts also....I
Sat, 03/26/2011 - 16:30 — duke_blueMy thoughts also....I am sure if Nolan was performing Coach K would have utilized him more than he did. Being a freshman didn't have anything to do with it. Kyrie took the point and handled it like a Senior.
been wondering
Sat, 03/26/2011 - 00:03 — JPDOhioHow long it would be before someone made this point. I was thinking the same thing.
mercy
Fri, 03/25/2011 - 17:25 — MozarteanI'd leave too after that smackdown Arizona delivered last night!
Wasn't that embarrassing?
Man the vultures are out
Fri, 03/25/2011 - 13:03 — duke_blueMan the vultures are out already. Let the guy breathe a little! As much as I would love to see him come back, whatever he decides will be understandable.
Give the kid time
Fri, 03/25/2011 - 12:34 — HeelsforeverGive the kid time to absorb and reflect on the season. He also needs time to get info from Kay. Oh, that's right, Kay doesn't tell his kids to go, so that research won't happen. Anyway, the kid is a definite pro (just using Kay's terminology. You know, how he always refers to Carolina kids he's hoping will leave early.).
give the kid time
Sat, 03/26/2011 - 11:48 — wamoYeah, he didn't tell Dunleavy to go. Yeah, he didn't tell Brand to go. Get your facts straight, you wanker.
He lost some money last night
Fri, 03/25/2011 - 10:27 — gvillegatrDerrick Williams is the new #1 pick. 2nd "ain't" so bad, though.