Kyrie Irving’s Dad Raised Him Alone after His Mom’s Death – More about Drederick Irving

Back in the day, Kyrie Irving’s dad, Drederick Irving, was on the verge of making it big in the world of basketball. However, the circumstances that unfolded in Drederick’s life did not turn out as he had anticipated.

Before Kyrie Irving rose to prominence as one of the best players in the National Basketball Association (NBA), his father, Drederick Irving, was regarded as one of the greatest athletes at Boston University (BU) and even dreamt of going to the NBA.

Drederick’s tryout with the Boston Celtics failed. He eventually gave up his NBA dreams and focused on providing for his family. Although his chances were dashed, Kyrie pushed through his father’s dreams.

Kyrie Irving poses with his father, Drederick Irving, on June 16, 2011, in West Orange, New Jersey. | Source: Getty Images

Kyrie Irving’s Uneasy First Years

The early years of Kyrie’s life were fraught with challenges and, at the same time, grief. In 1990, shortly after his mother, Elizabeth, tied the knot with Drederick, the family moved to Australia.

Shortly after things had settled down, Elizabeth gave birth to Kyrie, who has an older sister named Asia, while Drederick played for the country’s Bullen Boomers basketball.

A few years later, the whole family left Australia and moved back to the United States, where their parents eventually found their respective jobs.

The Irvings settled in New Jersey, where Elizabeth worked in Washington, although it was unclear what job she had at the time. Meanwhile, her husband, Drederick, worked as a financial broker in New York City.

Drederick traveled to New York City daily for work at the Cantor Fitzgerald Company. His office was on the 105th floor of the World Trade Center. He later switched jobs, but it was still in the same building.

Tragically, tragedy drastically altered Kyrie’s life. Kyrie was only four years old, and his sister was five when his mother passed away from an unknown illness. Elizabeth’s death broke Drederick’s heart. Kyrie said:

“It was just me, my sister, and my father, that was it. We call ourselves a triangle.”

However, the family experienced another near-tragic event. Drederick had just walked into the lobby of the World Trade Center, where he worked, when the plane crashed into the building on September 11, 2011.

Drederick miraculously survived the terrifying ordeal that shocked thousands. He stated that, at the time, he could only think about getting back to his children.

Kyrie shared about his father giving up his dream of becoming a basketball star to provide for the family.

Kyrie’s Father Worked Hard to Help His Son Become an NBA Star

The ambitions of Drederick’s children come first in his life. Kyrie recalled how his father instilled confidence in him to play basketball and told him that he would one day be a great athlete when he was younger.

Kyrie said Drederick was his “favorite player” besides basketball icon Chris Paul. Kyrie also stated that, when he was younger, the former BU athlete was his idol and hero.

Drederick Irving at a basketball game between Boston University and Canisius College, on January 31, 1987, in Boston. | Source: Getty Images

Kyrie said his dad prepared all the essential steps for him to reach his dream with no shortcuts. Drederick, for his part, recalled his son writing on a piece of paper in fourth grade, “GOAL: Play in the NBA.”

The goal came true. Kyrie has established himself as a top-tier basketball player for the Cleveland Cavaliers and was named the NBA’s Rookie of the Year in 2011. He is a player for the Brooklyn Nets at this time.

Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets reacts during the first half of the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Barclays Center on April 8, 2022, in Brooklyn, New York City. | Source: Getty Images

Thanks Move from Kyrie to His Dad

In 2017, Kyrie Irving and his sister Asia hired a team of professional designers to renovate his childhood home in New Jersey, where their father still lives.

Asia and Kyrie renovated the place in honor of Drederick’s sacrifices he did for them. Kyrie shared about his father giving up his dream of becoming a basketball star to provide for the family.

Drederick Irving, hugs Kyrie Irving at the end of a press conference at TD Garden on September 1, 2017, in Boston. | Source: Getty Images

Kyrie became emotional when he discovered his father still had the trophies he won several years ago, demonstrating Drederick’s unconditional support.

His children’s thoughtfulness and generosity overjoyed Drederick. He said it made him feel good as a parent to know that his kids still supported him and had his back.