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Duke Basketball: Kyrie Irving named as All-Star for the Eastern Conference

By Kevin Connelly

BOSTON, MA - NOVEMBER 16: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket during the first half against the Toronto Raptors at TD Garden on November 16, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - NOVEMBER 16: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket during the first half against the Toronto Raptors at TD Garden on November 16, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images) /
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One of the biggest NBA stars to come out of the Duke Basketball program, Kyrie Irving, has been named as a starter for the upcoming NBA All-Star Game.

Kyrie Irving will be on the floor as the ball is tipped on in Charlotte, North Carolina in the NBA All-Star Game.

On Thursday night, Irving was announced as a starter for the game representing the Boston Celtics and the Eastern Conference along with Kemba Walker, Kawhi Leonard, Joel Embiid, and captain Giannis Antetokounmpo.

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Irving was the leading fan vote receiver among guards in the Eastern Conference with over 3.8 million votes, ahead of Dwyane Wade with over 2.2 million votes. The former No. 1 overall pick of the 2011 NBA Draft was the leading vote receivers of all guards as Stephen Curry led the guards of the Western Conference, but was beat out by Irving by under 20,000 votes.

On the season, Irving is averaging 23.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 6.9 assists, while shooting a career best 50.1% from the field and just off his career high in 3-point shooting at 41.3%.

This will be Irving’s sixth All-Star Game as he was named the MVP of the game in the 2013-14 season.

LeBron James and Antetokounmpo finished as the top vote receivers in their respective conferences, both have been named captains and will select their teams from the pool of starters, moving to the reserves, which will be announced next Thursday night, January 31, on TNT.

Along with James and Curry, the starters from the Western Conference include James Harden, Kevin Durant, and Paul George.

James has the first pick among starters since he was the leading fan vote receiver in the entire league and Antetokounmpo will have the first pick among the reserves. The NBA will televise the Draft on February 7 at 7:00 pm ET on TNT.

As for the actual game, it will be on February 17 at 8:00 pm ET from the home of the Charlotte Hornets, the Spectrum Center, in Charlotte, North Carolina and can be seen on TNT.

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