Kyrie Irving hasn’t been able to suit up for the Brooklyn Nets in over a month. He has participated in certain portions of practice, but the team’s medical staff has yet to clear him for any contact work.
But, a right shoulder impingement wasn’t going to keep Irving away from Barclays Center on Monday. The superstar point guard had his Kyrie Invitational in Brooklyn, which featured some of the best high school basketball talent in the country.
Among the schools participating in the event was The Patrick School — formerly known as St. Patrick’s High School — which is Irving’s alma mater. In January of 2018, Irving paid for the renovation of The Patrick School’s gym, locker room and weight room.
.@KyrieIrving paid for a complete renovation of the gym, locker room and weight room at his Alma Mater @patrickschool and the team just saw the lockers pic.twitter.com/t5AN56Fw5K
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) January 6, 2018
On Monday, Irving gave kids from the same area he grew up a taste of what he gets to experience on a nightly basis. Then, he made sure to sign more than a few autographs for those on hand.
Kyrie Irving showing love to the fans that pulled up to the Kyrie Invitational at Barclays Center tonight pic.twitter.com/J3rr1z0K92
— Kristian Winfield (@Krisplashed) December 24, 2019
For the next generation. @KyrieIrving x #KyrieInvitational pic.twitter.com/dgqf8zIlHq
— Roc Nation Sports (@RocNationSports) December 24, 2019
Not only did Irving sign autographs for fans, he also gave the competing athletes shoes made solely for those playing in the tournament:
The #KyrieInvitational goes down on Monday and they cooked up these super tuff Ky 6s for the kids playing in the event. pic.twitter.com/WdX6vT0Q3M
— SLAM Kicks (@SLAMKicks) December 21, 2019