You see him step onto the court in Dallas, and if you haven't checked the roster lately, you might be a little confused. Is he still number 2? Did he go back to 11? Basketball fans have been asking what is kyrie irving number for over a decade now, and honestly, the answer depends entirely on which era of Kyrie you're looking at. As of the current 2025-2026 NBA season, Kyrie Irving is officially wearing number 11 for the Dallas Mavericks.
It wasn't always that simple. When he first landed in Dallas via that blockbuster trade from Brooklyn, he actually started out wearing number 2. But that was more about necessity than choice.
Why the Number 11 Matters So Much
Numbers in the NBA are rarely just random digits. For Kyrie, 11 is practically a spiritual connection. He’s gone on record saying his father, Drederick Irving, is the main reason he wears it. Drederick was a standout at Boston University where he wore—you guessed it—number 11.
But the "11" rabbit hole goes way deeper than just family ties. It’s almost eerie when you look at the math:
- He was born at 1:11.
- The name "Kyrie Irving" has 11 letters.
- The letter "K" is the 11th letter of the alphabet.
- He played exactly 11 games at Duke before being drafted.
- He was the 1st pick in the 2011 draft.
It’s one of those things where once you see it, you can't unsee it. He’s basically surrounded by the number. Even when he scored his 11,000th career point, it happened to be on March 11. You can’t make this stuff up.
The Journey from 2 to 11 (and Back Again)
Kyrie’s jersey history is a bit of a roadmap of his career. In Cleveland, he was number 2. Why? Well, when he arrived as a rookie, he actually wanted number 11, but the Cavs were planning to retire it for Zydrunas Ilgauskas. He even tried to buy number 1 from Daniel "Booby" Gibson, but Gibson reportedly asked for a million bucks. Kyrie passed on that and settled for 2.
When he got traded to the Boston Celtics in 2017, the path finally cleared. Number 2 was retired in Boston for Red Auerbach, so Kyrie finally grabbed his preferred 11. He kept that number through his years in Brooklyn.
Then came the Dallas trade.
When he arrived in Texas, Tim Hardaway Jr. already had number 11. Kyrie, being the vet, didn't make a fuss and went back to his old Cleveland number 2. But after a full season, things shifted. Hardaway Jr. switched to number 10 (his dad’s old number), and Kyrie finally reclaimed his 11. If you buy a Mavs jersey today, that’s the one you’re getting.
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A Quick Breakdown of the Jersey Timeline
- Cleveland Cavaliers: Number 2 (because 11 was taken/reserved).
- Boston Celtics: Number 11 (his "destiny" number).
- Brooklyn Nets: Number 11 (continued the legacy).
- Dallas Mavericks (2023): Number 2 (temporary arrival).
- Dallas Mavericks (2024-Present): Number 11 (the permanent switch).
The Performance Gap: Does the Number Change the Player?
Some fans joke that "Number 11 Kyrie" is a different beast than "Number 2 Kyrie." If you look at the stats, there's actually a bit of a weird trend. While he won his only championship wearing number 2 in Cleveland, his per-game scoring averages have actually been higher while wearing 11.
In Dallas, since switching back to 11, he looks more settled. He’s found a rhythm with Luka Doncic that many skeptics thought was impossible. It's almost as if wearing his father's number gives him a level of comfort that translates to his handles and that impossible finishing at the rim.
What Most People Get Wrong
A common misconception is that Kyrie picks numbers based on "energy" or "vibrations" alone. While he definitely leans into the spiritual side of things, the primary driver has always been his dad. He once said in an interview that he wants to be the reason no one else ever wears 11 for the franchises he plays for. He wants that jersey in the rafters.
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Whether that happens in Boston or Brooklyn is debatable given how those stints ended, but in Dallas, he’s building a real case.
If you're looking to buy merchandise or just settle a bet, the current answer to what is kyrie irving number is 11. He’s likely going to finish his career in that jersey. It represents a full-circle journey from a kid watching his dad play in Boston to a veteran leader trying to bring another title to Dallas.
To keep up with any future changes—though they seem unlikely now—you should always check the official NBA active roster or the Dallas Mavericks team store before grabbing a new kit. If you're hunting for a throwback, the Cleveland #2 is the iconic "championship" look, but the Dallas #11 is the present and future.
Verify the jersey number on the official Mavs shop before purchasing, as "Statement" and "City" edition jerseys can sometimes feature different styling, though the number 11 remains the constant. Look for the silver "Level" authentication tags to ensure you aren't getting a knockoff from previous seasons.