On Tuesday, Notre Dame assistant coach Anthony Solomon stopped in to see the four-star talent.
“He was just telling me that they were highly interested and they really wanted me,” Kyrie Irving said.
Solomon’s not the only one.
Heading into the AAU season this past summer, the 6-foot-2, 165-pound Irving hit the circuit looking to show college recruiters that they don’t want to pass up on him. He already held scholarship offers from Texas A&M, St. Joseph, Seton Hall and Rutgers, but Irving wanted more.
“My goal was to get my name out there and I think I accomplished it,” Irving stated.
That may be an understatement.
Since AAU ball ended, Irving says he has gotten scholarship offers from places like Indiana, Florida, Villanova, George Washington, Virginia, Virginia Tech and Kansas State. Notre Dame joined the mix a couple weeks ago.
“My style of play is just to push the ball and give my teammates love, and do what the coach asks and play my game,” Irving said. “And they want me to come in not as a point guard or a shooting guard, just a guard and I think I fit that role.”
Irving says he will strongly consider the Irish, and plans on taking a visit to the school in the future.
“They’re definitely on the top of my list,” Irving said. “I just like their style of play and the coaching staff is great.
“In my choice of choosing a school, it’s all about family and it seems like they have a good family atmosphere. And If I went there, I think they would take care of me and it would be a good home away from home.”
It appears the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree for Irving. His father Drederick Irving played guard at Boston University, where the school eventually retired his number. The elder Irving got a tryout with the Boston Celtics before playing overseas in Australia where Kyrie was born.
“My dad coached me when I was younger,” Irving said. “Not only is he my father, but he’s also my best friend. He helps me through everything. He helps me with the recruiting process, we just go through it together.”
Solomon keeps in regular touch with Irving’s father.
“They chat about the school and how I could see myself at Notre Dame. He just handles the recruiting.”
Irving is in his first year with the storied St. Patrick basketball program, The school has produced NBA players like Al Harrington and Samuel Dalembert, and is where 2007 USA Today Coach of the Year Kevin Boyle has won 407 games in 19 seasons. Irving played his sophomore season at Montclair Kimberly Academy, where he averaged roughly 28 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, helping lead his team to a 15-10 record.
“It was a family decision,” Irving said. “At St. Pats, I’m playing for the best coach in the country. I get the academics also. It was a family decision, and we just decided to transfer there.
“I enjoy St. Pats a lot. I get challenged academically and athletically, so there is nothing better.”
Irving has a 3.4 GPA and wants to major in journalism in college.
“I just enjoy writing.”
And college coaches including Solomon and Mike Brey enjoy watching Irving play.