One of America’s best basketball players banned from team until he’s vaccinated

The Brooklyn Nets have confirmed that Kyrie Irving will not be allowed to play or practice until he is “eligible to be a full participant” after concerns surrounding his vaccination status continue.

Brooklyn Nets general manager, Sean Marks, said in a statement on Tuesday: “Given the evolving nature of the situation and after thorough deliberation, we have decided Kyrie Irving will not play or practice with the team until he is eligible to be a full participant,”

“Kyrie has made a personal choice, and we respect his individual right to choose. Currently the choice restricts his ability to be a full-time member of the team, and we will not permit any member of our team to participate with part-time availability.”

Last season, the seven-time All-Star and three-time member of the All-NBA Team had one of his best seasons and played in the most games of the Nets’ three stars – averaging 27 points per game on 50-40-90 shooting. He currently stands to lose $381,000 for every home game he misses – totalling $15.5 million if he sits out on all 41 Brooklyn’s Barclays Center contests.

Nets head coach Steve Nash told reporters on Sunday, “I think we recognize he’s not playing home games,”

“We’re going to have to, for sure, play without him this year, so it just depends on when, where, and how much”, the New York Post reported.

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Fellow players have since spoken out to show support for their superstar teammate.

“It’ll work itself out,” James Harden said. “I want him to be on the team, of course. He’s been a huge part of our success.”

Kevin Durant added, “We want him here for the whole thing.

“We want him for games, home games, practices, away games, shootarounds, all of it. So hopefully, we can figure this thing out.”

Kyrie has not spoken out publicly about his vaccination status and has instead asked for privacy.