Drederick Irving, an American former basketball player’s career and dedication to games, inspired his son, Kyrie Irving, who would become an NBA star. Now, The Bronx-raised basketball veteran is rather famous as the father of the 2016 NBA champion, Kyrie.
After Drederick’s wife, Elizabeth (Kryie’s mom), died, he raised his son and daughter, Asia, while working as a financial broker. Later, he married his second wife, Shetellia, and welcomed a daughter (his third child) with her.
The Iriving father-son duo shares a close bond and often makes headlines with their adorable relationship. As much as Drederick was enthusiastic about his playing career, he supported his son’s NBA career.
Irving’s son, Kyrie, plays for the Dallas Mavericks (2023- present) after signing a three-year $126 million contract in July 2023.
That said, Drederick’s playing career and achievements can not go unnoticed, as they laid the foundation for the NBA player’s career.
While Mr. Iriving didn’t get his NBA dream like his son, he played in the Pro-Am League in New York. Having played college basketball at Boston University under coach Rick Pitino, he pursued a professional career overseas, playing in Australia, where his son Kyrie was born.
Drederick Irving’s Age and Family Background Explored
Drederick Irving was born to his parents on January 11, 1966, in The Bronx, New York, United States. He is 58 years old as of 2024.
Irving was raised by his mother, Lillian Irving, in the Mitchel Houses, a public housing project in the South Bronx.
His father’s name is not accessible in the media, as Dredercik has never publicly talked about him. However, it is known that his father left the family when Drederick was just six.
Drederick is not the only child of his parents, as he grew up alongside his five siblings.
When his dad left the home, his mother, Lillian, worked several jobs to feed her children. She even managed the kids in classes at a community college.
In his early days, Irving saw too much too soon, including drugs, crime, and guns. As he saw the worst things during his initial days, Drederick realized that education and basketball would be his escape.
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Drederick Irving Practiced Gymnastics Before Switching To Basketball
Drederick Irving was initially into gymnastics. He was drawn by his idol, Mousl, who looked cool doing all those handsprings and backflips. Irving started working on his technique at eight with Mousl as his coach.
The duo practiced in a dimly lit gym alongside the guys playing basketball. Gradually, Irving became interested in basketball and shifted from gymnastics to basketball at ten.
Drederick attended Adlai E. Stevenson High School and played on the varsity basketball team but spent his junior year as a reserve player. In the fall of his senior year, he committed to Boston University.
In his sophomore year, Drederick averaged 18 points per game; during his junior year, he scored 18.7 points. Likewise, Irving did pretty well in his senior year. The Boston University Terriers retired Drederick’s No. 11 jersey in 1988.
Not only that but he was also inducted into the BU Athletic Hall of Fame. As said earlier, he could not play in the NBA despite trying out for the Boston Celtics. Irving later played in the Pro-Am League in New York.
After finishing his collegiate career, Drederick flew to Australia. After arriving in Australia, he played for the Bulleen Boomers of the South East Australian Basketball League.
Drederick Irving Married Twice In His Life: All About His Wedding and Children
Drederick Irving has been married twice. His first marriage was with Elizabeth Larson. They met at Boston University, where Elizabeth was playing volleyball.
Shortly after falling for each other, the duo tied the knot in 1990. Following their marriage, Drederick and his wife moved to the Seattle area. The retired basketball player even worked as a credit manager for a finance company.
The couple welcomed son, Kyrie Irving, on March 23, 1992. Before that, the duo had already raised a daughter named Asia Irving, who had stayed away from the limelight.
Kyrie is a professional basketball player who has played for various teams, including Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics.
However, the Irving family faced a tragic moment in their life when Elizabeth passed away on September 9, 1996. Reportedly, Elizabeth had sepsis while in the hospital and was only 29.
So, Drederick raised his two kids as a single dad. In 2004, he married his second wife, Shetellia Riley. Later, Irving and his second wife welcomed a daughter named London in 2008.
Drederick Irving Survived 9/11
Drederick Irving is the survivor of the September 11 attacks, widely known as 9/11. The retired basketball player used to think that someone was always protecting him and his kids, and he felt that it was his late wife, Elizabeth Irving.
After his basketball career, he worked as a financial broker for years. Irving reportedly worked for Cantor Fitzgerald on the 105th floor of the World Trade Center. Eight months before the attack, Drederick had changed his job.
He even joined Garvan Securities on the 40th floor of the same building but left three weeks later. Later, Thomson Reuters at 3 Financial Square hired him. Drederick had to go through the World Trade Center buildings for this work.
In an interview, Irving recalls the moment when he was dodging debris falling from the World Trade Center following the terrorist attack.
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