USA/AUS - Irving decides against representing Boomers

CLEVELAND (Olympics) - Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving has decided not to make himself available for Australia's 2012 Olympic squad.

The number one overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft was born in Australia while his American father was playing professionally in Melbourne.

He has dual citizenship.

Irving was a leading player for the United States at the 2010 FIBA Americas U18 Championship for Men before attending Duke University for a year and playing for Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski.

He announced his decision to remain with USA Basketball on Monday night after Cleveland's 109-100 defeat to Utah.

“It was the right decision,” Irving said.

“I found out Coach K would be coaching (Team USA) in 2016.

"It made my decision so much easier to play for my coach again.

"That was the deciding factor.”

USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo, however, told ESPN on Monday night that the coaching position for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games has not been “discussed at all.”

Irving, who turns 20 on March 23, is averaging 18.6 points per game and is a leading contender for the NBA's Rookie of the Year award.

FIBA