The Patrick School in New Jersey, previously known as St. Patrick High School, has provided the NBA with quite a few players over the years. There’s DeAndre’ Bembre of the Atlanta Hawks and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist of the Dallas Mavericks, along with retired 13-year NBA center Samuel Dalembert and retired 16-year NBA forward Al Harrington — the latter two probably being the school’s most accomplished basketball players ever until Kyrie Irving burst onto the scene.
A six-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA selection and 2016 NBA champion, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft has done well since he moved on from his alma mater in New Jersey. But Brooklyn’s point guard is big on remember where he started, which is why Irving has helped the Patrick School over the years.
While Irving’s efforts have been documented over the years, Harrington revealed to Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson on Heavy.com‘s “Live with Scoop B” that Irving has done more for the school than most realize:
“Kyrie is the one that saved The Patrick School. I’m gonna give credit where is due. I make my small contributions to help but, he’s the one. So hats off to Kyrie and you asked why it was important; it’s important because of the tradition that the school has. How many high schools can say they have you know, 20-plus professional players throughout all leagues and about four or five or six that went in the NBA. So I think that we have a lot of tradition and heritage at the school that should be around. I think it’s gaining a lot of support especially because of Kyrie being so active.”