NBA Champ Kyrie Irving Helping to Support Alma Mater St. Patrick’s

NEW YORK — When Kyrie Irving hit the decisive three-point shot in Game 7 of the NBA Finals that helped cement the first NBA championship for the Cleveland Cavaliers, more than 30 former players from his alma mater cheered wildly at the home of Elizabeth (N.J.) St. Patrick’s principal Chris Chavannes.

Irving’s bond to St. Patrick’s — now officially The Patrick School — runs deep. And in more ways than one.

Not only is Irving a newly minted NBA champion who serves as a role model for all present and past St. Pat’s kids, but he’s also helping to keep the tiny Catholic school of 110 students afloat financially.

“My connection to St. Pat’s is deep-rooted through Coach Chavannes as well as my father [Dred Irving] and as long as we can continue to support The Patrick School in any way, we are going to so I’m really happy that we have a championship winner in St. Patrick history, or The Patrick School history,” Irving said Monday in Harlem after Team USA was officially announced for the Rio Olympics.