Kyrie Irving, the NBA star known for his incredible skills, stands out not only for his talent but also for his different spiritual journey. Unlike many others, Kyrie has chosen an entirely different path and shined as one of the most well-known Muslim athletes in the league.
Drafted by the Cavaliers in 2011, Kyrie Irving quickly made a name for himself as one of the NBA’s brightest stars. However, his success was often accompanied by controversies, particularly related to his religious faith. In 2021, during Kyrie Irving’s prime, a notable controversy arose when some of his gestures led the NBA community to ask, “Is Kyrie Irving Muslim?”
Is Kyrie Irving a Muslim NBA player?
Kyrie grew up in a Christian family in Melbourne, Australia, with his American parents. He converted to Islam in early 2021 after exploring many spiritual views for a while. Rumors of his conversion began swirling in the same year when he made an Islamic kneeling gesture before a game.
Nobody thought he could have intended to switch his faith without making a public statement since he grew up in a Christian family. But during Ramadan that year, the 32-year-old fasted and shared multiple Islamic gestures on social media to hint at his conversion to Islam.
When did Kyrie Irving announce his conversion to Islam?
After months of rumors and speculation, he finally made it official that he had changed his religion to Islam. His announcement generated great media coverage and reaction from the NBA community.
On April 23, he confirmed those ongoing rumors in a press conference and spoke freely about his Islamic beliefs. It’s natural to wonder if Kyrie Irving’s wife, Marlene Wilkerson, and their children share the same faith. However, Marlene is a devout Christian, and there is no clear information about their children’s religious beliefs.
Since the couple has kept their relationship very private from the start, Irving has never publicly discussed his family’s religious beliefs.
Is Kyrie Irving among the wealthiest Muslim NBA players?
Kyrie Irving is considered one of the league’s most talented and adaptable Muslim players, according to his stellar resume, which includes an NBA championship in 2016, eight All-Star appearances, and Rookie of the Year in 2012.
His NBA career, endorsement deals, and astute investments have contributed significantly to his wealth. Kyrie Irving’s net worth is estimated to be around $90 million, making him one of the wealthiest Muslim NBA players.
His net worth might have been even higher if things hadn’t gone wrong during the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to his refusal to vaccinate, which was against New York City’s vaccination rule, he could not play for the Nets until October 2021.
Following his trade from the Brooklyn Nets to the Dallas Mavericks, Kyrie Irving has emerged as a prominent guard for the Mavericks. On June 30, 2023, he committed to a three-year, $126 million deal with the Mavericks.
Irving’s net worth is projected to go up as he cements his position as a leading Muslim in the NBA with this new agreement.
