After taking responsibility for his failures as a leader with the Boston Celtics, Kyrie Irving is back in another leadership role and was put there by his peers.
Besides being one of the leaders of the Brooklyn Nets, on Monday it was announced that Irving would join the leadership board of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA). Irving replaces Pau Gasol, who served a three-year term as VP before his term expired.
“This was the right time for me to run for a leadership position in the NBPA,” said Irving. “I have been an observer and a participant in union affairs for a while, but for the most part, I was off on the sidelines, supporting our Executive Committee as they made important decisions. At this point in my career, I wanted to join forces with those guys and take a bigger role outside of the basketball court and within our union. I want to help move the union forward with innovative ideas, not only on social issues but also with business ventures into a new space. I am honored to be elected by my peers and I cannot wait to work with everybody to make an impact.”
“Pau brought an invaluable perspective to the Executive Committee as both an international player and a highly respected league veteran,” said NBPA President Chris Paul. “In the last three years, the NBPA has greatly expanded our resources for international players and I believe that is a direct effect of Pau. We are grateful to him for his service and we are thrilled to have Kyrie join us as the newest Vice President. Having a player of his caliber coupled with his off the court business acumen will help us to continue to strengthen the union as a whole and empower our individual voices as players.”
Irving is now the second NBPA Vice President that is a member of the Brooklyn Nets, as Garrett Temple has served since 2017.
The Nets duo joins Chris Paul (President), Andre Iguodala (First Vice President), Anthony Tolliver (Secretary-Treasurer), Bismack Biyombo, Malcolm Brogdon, Jaylen Brown, CJ McCollum and Garrett Temple (Vice Presidents) as the voice of players in the league.
