Kyrie Irving, known for his jaw-dropping handles, seems to have equally smooth moves off the court. As the Dallas Mavericks gear up for the 2024-25 NBA season, Irving made a pit stop—not at the gym, but at the Valley Ranch Islamic Center in Texas. It’s becoming a bit of a pre-season ritual for the eight-time All-Star, who embraced Islam back in 2021. And before lacing up his sneakers, Kyrie made sure to lace up his spiritual side, visiting the mosque, sharing hugs with fellow Muslim brothers, and reminding the world that he’s not just about breaking ankles on the court—he’s also about breaking fasts during Ramadan.
Spiritual Handles
Kyrie’s journey with Islam is no secret. Since embracing the religion, “Uncle Drew” has incorporated his faith into his daily grind, including fasting while navigating the relentless NBA schedule. And this week, as he prepared for Thursday’s season opener against none other than Victor Wembanyama’s San Antonio Spurs, he found peace among his fellow Muslims. A fan snapped a picture with Kyrie inside the mosque, thanking him for the inspiration. Because, apparently, Kyrie doesn’t just inspire with his basketball wizardry—he’s also pushing people to be better versions of themselves off the court. That’s an MVP move if we’ve ever seen one.
Ramadan, But Make It 48 Minutes
It’s not the first time Kyrie’s balanced the challenges of fasting with the rigors of the NBA season. During Ramadan this past year, Irving continued his fast even when the Mavericks were in a heated playoff race. Think your 9-to-5 is hard without a snack? Try running up and down the court for 48 minutes with no food or water. Kyrie’s take on it? “It’s nothing short of a miracle.”
And miracle-worker he was, leading the Mavs to a 13-2 record during Ramadan. His secret? Focusing on the journey with God, rather than, you know, the hunger and thirst. It’s a journey Kyrie has fully embraced, fasting with the Muslim community since his time with the Brooklyn Nets. No Gatorade for Uncle Drew—just a whole lot of faith.
Next Up: Wembanyama vs. Uncle Drew
Now, Kyrie’s spiritual game is sharp, and his physical game looks just as ready. After a strong preseason showing, he’s locked in for the Mavericks’ opening night faceoff against San Antonio’s basketball unicorn, Victor Wembanyama. While everyone’s eager to see how this showdown plays out, one thing is clear—Kyrie’s already won a victory before stepping onto the court, making time for his faith, his community, and of course, a few wholesome embraces.
So, while the league braces for another year of Kyrie’s ankle-breaking crossovers, his Muslim brothers at the mosque know there’s more to the man than just highlights and handles. With the season about to tip off, Kyrie’s spiritual tank is full, and if his past performances are any indication, Mavericks fans should be in for one holy season of basketball.
