Kyrie Irving, who began his high school basketball career at tiny Montclair (N.J.) Kimberley Academy and finished up at powerhouse St. Patrick, will be named the NBA Rookie of the Year, according to reports.
Irving, who led all first-year players in scoring at 18.5 points per game, will receive the award Tuesday, the AP reported.
“I would imagine it’s something you dream about as a kid working out with all the time and effort you put in,” former St. Patrick and current Montverde (Fla.) Academy coach Kevin Boyle told SNY.tv. “He was blessed with some talent but what people don’t realize is he’s an example of a guy who really loves to play and really worked hard. He put a lot of time in the gym.
“I try to use him as example,” Boyle added. “A lot of the guys think it’s just going to happen and they want the awards and the praise but a lot of guys don’t understand the countless hours spent in the gym. Kyrie actually understood that and I think he actually enjoys it.”
For financially strapped St. Patrick, which is trying to remain open at another location next year, the award is a milestone.
“Anytime an alumni achieves a moment of greatnesss it only reflects proudly and greatly on the school that they came from,” Boyle said.
ESPN.com and The Cleveland Plain Dealer first reported Irving’s win.
Results of the voting won’t be available until Tuesday, but it’s safe to assume Irving’s victory will be lopsided. After Minnesota guard Ricky Rubio suffered a season-ending knee injury, Irving was far and away the best all-around player in the rookie class.
The Cavs used the No. 1 overall pick in last year’s draft to select Irving, who played in just 11 games as a freshman at Duke because of a toe injury. However, it didn’t take long for the 6-foot-3 Irving to establish himself as one of the game’s rising stars.
With a fearlessness on the floor, Irving made clutch shots, orchestrated fourth-quarter comebacks and managed to keep the Cavs competitive and in the playoff picture for several months before they traded guard Ramon Sessions in March and injuries took their toll.
Irving is the second Cavaliers player to win the award, joining LeBron James in 2004.
Irving’s is the final postseason award to be announced by the league.
Irving recently treated himself to a postseason vacation in the Bahamas. In June, he’s expected to play on the Cavs summer league team in Las Vegas and will be part of a U.S. Select Team which will train against the American Olympic team going to the London Games.
(The AP contributed)
