If you’re wondering what year was Kyrie Irving drafted, the short answer is 2011. But honestly, just saying "2011" doesn't even come close to covering how weird and high-stakes that year actually was for the NBA. At the time, the Cleveland Cavaliers were basically a dumpster fire. LeBron James had just skipped town for Miami a year earlier, and the franchise was desperate for a new face.
Enter a kid from Duke who had only played 11 college games.
Yeah, you read that right. Eleven.
It sounds crazy now, especially since we know he turned into one of the greatest ball-handlers to ever touch a basketball, but back then, it was a massive gamble. People were skeptical. Scouts were sweating. Yet, on June 23, 2011, the Cavs took the plunge.
The Night Everything Changed for Cleveland
The 2011 NBA Draft took place at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. For Kyrie, it was a homecoming of sorts, being from West Orange. When David Stern walked up to that podium and announced that the Cleveland Cavaliers were selecting Kyrie Irving with the first overall pick, it wasn't just a draft selection; it was a total reset for a city that felt betrayed.
The Cavs actually had two picks in the top four that year. They took Kyrie at #1 and Tristan Thompson at #4. Looking back, that was the foundation of the team that would eventually win a ring in 2016. But on draft night? Nobody knew that.
The 2011 draft class was actually stacked, though it didn't look like it at the time. You had guys like:
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- Kawhi Leonard (who went way down at #15!)
- Klay Thompson (#11)
- Jimmy Butler (literally the last pick of the first round at #30)
- Kemba Walker (#9)
- Isaiah Thomas (the very last pick of the whole draft at #60)
When you look at that list, Kyrie being the #1 pick seems like a no-brainer now. But back then? The Minnesota Timberwolves took Derrick Williams at #2. No disrespect to Derrick, but the gap between him and Kyrie today is wider than the Grand Canyon.
Why the "11 Games at Duke" Mattered
Let's talk about the Duke thing for a second. Kyrie was a freshman in the 2010-2011 season. He started off like a house on fire, averaging about 17.5 points and looking like a man among boys. Then, he hurt his right big toe.
He missed 26 games.
Most players would’ve been forgotten or seen their draft stock plummet. But Kyrie was so good in those few games—especially a 31-point masterclass against Michigan State—that NBA GMs couldn't look away. He eventually came back for the NCAA Tournament, but Duke got bounced by Arizona in the Sweet 16.
Even with the limited tape, the Cavaliers saw the "it" factor. His handle was already legendary. His finishing at the rim was creative in a way we hadn't seen from a point guard in years.
What Most People Forget About the 2011 Draft
One thing that kinda gets lost in history is that the pick the Cavs used to get Kyrie wasn't even theirs originally. It belonged to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Cleveland had traded Mo Williams and Jamario Moon to the Clippers for Baron Davis and an unprotected first-round pick. At the time, the Clippers were decent enough that the pick only had a 2.8% chance of becoming number one.
Luck was on Cleveland's side. The ping-pong balls bounced their way, and that tiny percentage turned into the right to draft Kyrie Irving. It’s one of the biggest "what ifs" in NBA history. If that pick stays with the Clippers, do they pair Kyrie with Blake Griffin? Does LeBron ever come back to Cleveland if Kyrie isn't there? Probably not.
Kyrie’s Instant Impact
Kyrie didn't waste any time proving he was worth the top spot. He won the 2011-12 Rookie of the Year award pretty easily. He averaged 18.5 points and 5.4 assists per game.
More importantly, he brought "hope" back to a locker room that had none. He wasn't LeBron, and he didn't try to be. He was just this wizard with the ball who could get a bucket whenever he wanted.
The Legacy of the 2011 Class
Fast forward to today, 2026, and Kyrie is still one of the most talked-about players in the league. His journey from Cleveland to Boston, then Brooklyn, and eventually Dallas has been a wild ride. But it all started with that 2011 draft.
If you’re looking at the numbers, here’s a quick breakdown of Kyrie’s rookie stats that solidified his #1 status:
- Points per game: 18.5
- Field goal percentage: 46.9%
- Three-point percentage: 39.9% (Incredible for a rookie guard)
- Free throw percentage: 87.2%
Basically, he entered the league as a polished vet.
Key Takeaways for Fans
If you're settling a debate or just brushing up on your hoops history, here’s what you need to remember:
- The Year: Kyrie Irving was drafted in 2011.
- The Team: The Cleveland Cavaliers took him #1 overall.
- The Context: He only played 11 games at Duke before declaring.
- The Luck: Cleveland won the lottery with a pick that had less than a 3% chance of being #1.
- The Class: He was part of a legendary draft that included Kawhi Leonard, Jimmy Butler, and Klay Thompson.
Knowing the year he was drafted is just the beginning. Understanding that he was a "gamble" who turned into a sure thing is what makes his story interesting.
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To see how Kyrie's game has evolved since his rookie year, you can check out his latest career stats on Basketball Reference or watch his draft night highlights on the official NBA YouTube channel.