Kyrie Irving is officially a member of the Dallas Mavericks.
As reality sets in and we begin to envision Irving in a Mavs uniform next to Luka Doncic, there's just one thing missing from the vision… the digit or digits on Irving's Mavs jersey.
Over the course of his 12-year NBA career, Irving has worn No. 2 and No. 11, which he wore in his most recent stops in Boston and Brooklyn. In the official announcement of Irving's arrival to Dallas, the Mavericks deliberately did a jersey swap with the front numeral covered.
Welcome to Dallas, @KyrieIrving!#MFFL pic.twitter.com/p70CWK3iwp
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) February 6, 2023
So, what number will Irving elect to wear in Dallas?
What number will Kyrie Irving wear for the Mavericks?
In Dallas, Tim Hardaway Jr. wears No. 11, which didn't necessarily make the number unavailable, but ultimately stood in the way of Irving keeping the number. Irving will revert back to the number that he made famous in Cleveland, according to reports from ESPN's Tim MacMahon and Turner Sports' Chris Haynes.
Trade is official. Kyrie Irving will wear No. 2 for the Mavs, a number worn by Jason Kidd among others in franchise history. Irving wore No. 2 with the Cavaliers.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) February 6, 2023
No. 2 has been good to Irving. During his time in Cleveland, he was named Rookie of the Year, earned four All-Star appearances and won and NBA title in 2016.
Kyrie Irving number history
After wearing No. 2 for six seasons with the Cavaliers, Irving switched to No. 11 when he was traded to the Celtics, partly because No. 2 is retired in Boston but also because Irving's father, Drederick, wore No. 11 during his time playing collegiately at Boston University.
Upon his arrival to Brooklyn, Irving opted to keep No. 11, which, according to Hornets sideline reporter Ashley ShahAmadi, is a choice that goes much deeper than his father's college number.
The story behind why Kyrie wears no. 11 is WILD 🤯
— NBA (@NBA) January 1, 2023
📲 https://t.co/1pomQZN8Pi pic.twitter.com/nafkqKqE4Y
During his years at St. Patrick High School in New Jersey, Irving wore No. 24 and No. 11. In Dallas, No. 24 is retired in honor of the late Kobe Bryant.
Irving wore No. 1 during his lone season at Duke University. While representing The United States at the World Cup and the Olympics, Irving wore No. 10, the same number that Bryant wore while representing Team USA.
