For years, Kyrie Irving has worked to support the WNBA and women’s basketball in general. Irving has been on the forefront, right along with his idol, Kobe Bryant. The late Los Angeles Lakers legend was completely supportive of women’s basketball, especially as his daughter Gianna played basketball as well.
Following their deaths from a tragic helicopter crash on January 26, Irving has made sure he continues to honor Bryant and Gianna, all while supporting WNBA and women’s basketball in any way he can.
Kyrie Irving pulled up to support Sierra Canyon High School’s girls basketball team.
The Nets point guard is an advocate for women’s hoops as was the mission of his mentor & Lakers icon in the late Kobe Bryant.
📸 – Instagram – theguardwhisperer pic.twitter.com/0wioCDYiib
— 👑 🅱️randon “Scoop 🅱️” Robinson 📍 (@ScoopB) December 12, 2021
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Kyrie Irving shows up to support Sierra Canyon High School’s girls basketball team
This time, Irving went ahead and visited the Sierra Canyon School, where he met and encouraged the school’s basketball team. Even though it was a small event, Irving’s visit can help out and inspire youngsters looking to play basketball on a professional or semi-professional level.
Additionally, fans always seem to love these gestures by Irving, especially when they involve the five-time NBA champion. Irving himself has been in the NBA for around a decade, and will always be there to provide advice.
Having said that, this is not the first time Irving has honored Bryant or gone out of his way to support female basketball.
Irving started a fund to cover the salaries of WNBA players
With the COVID-19 pandemic, many WNBA players ended up withdrawing from the season due to various reasons. As a result, Irving began a fund that would help pay players who would not be paid. His donation was for the purpose of helping players earn some money through the year, keeping in mind that the average salary of a WNBA player is $120,648.
Nets’ Kyrie Irving has started a $1.5 million fund for WNBA players who choose to sit out the 2020 WNBA season due to personal, professional, health, and/or safety-related reasons.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 27, 2020
Irving has also honored Bryant and his daughter Gianna before. Earlier this year, he bought Mambacita hoodies for all the Nets, celebrating Gigi Bryant and her aim to play in the WNBA one day.
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When will Kyrie Irving play?
Having said all that, Irving is yet to play a game for the Nets this season. While it is worrisome for the Nets as a team, Irving has stuck by his decision. However, the 29-year-old can be back once he is allowed to play as a complete member of the team.
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The Nets are placed first in the Eastern Conference without Irving, looking to maintain that lead with an 18-8 win-loss record.