Showing posts with label NBA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NBA. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 19, 2025

Native American Biography: Kyrie Irving, Basketball

 Kyrie Irving is known for his prowess on the basketball court as a high scoring point guard.  He was picked with the first overall pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2011 and won the rookie of the year that year.  In 2016 the Cavaliers won the NBA championship.  LeBron James also played for the Cavaliers. 

 More recently he is known for having refused the Covid shot.  It limited his ability to play is some jurisdictions.  At the time he played in New Jersey and this stance resulted in his being traded.  He now plays for Dallas but has not played this year due to recovering from ACL surgery.

Kyrie's mother was Lakota Sioux of the Standing Rock reservation.  She also had African AMerican ancestry.  However she was adopted away from the reservation as a baby.  This was before the Indian Child Welfare Act prevented the adopting out of native children.  His mother passed away when he was four and he was raised by his father and aunts.  He was actually born in Australia and has duel citizenship.  His father was in Australia playing basketball.  



As an adult Irving has reconnected with his native roots.  He attended a "welcome home" ceremony on the Standing Rock reservation.  He received a new name, Little Mountain.  His family name is Mountain.  

Sunday, June 1, 2014

ESPN Documentary Review: Shawn Bradley: Postarized

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=10933122
This is a very interesting look at Shawn Bradley, his NBA career, and his accomplishments off the court.  Shawn Bradley is 7' 6".  He was selected second in the NBA draft after playing one year (setting a record for a Freshman in shot blocks) and then served a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  He did not live up to the hype, but he did enjoy a 12-year career in the NBA, and is number 16 on the all time blocks list.  From his NBA career he became financially independent and has been able to provide a contribution to the world.  He is currently employed at a school in Salt Lake for "troubled" youth. 

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865604264/National-spotlight-shines-on-Shawn-Bradleys-life-after-the-NBA.html?s_cid=Email-1