Former Duke Point Guard Kyrie Irving was the number one pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, heading to the NBA to play for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

But now that the league is in a lockout, Irving is heading back to Duke to continue his education.

Irving, who spent only one year at Duke, is making good on a promise he made to his dad, who played hoops at and graduated from Boston University.

“I just said to Kyrie, listen, if you decide to leave you have to promise me to get your degree in five years,” said Drederick Irving.

Irving is enrolled in four classes, and while he made the decision to leave school for the NBA, it’s pretty clear he is not, and never was, a go to school just to play basketball guy.

“I love the vibe,” said Kyrie. “I love Duke. I’m back because I love it, Duke is the place.”

He already knows there is more to life than just basketball.

“I wanted to set my mark in the basketball world at the same time, me having my mark on the real world is something I wanted to do. And me having my degree when I’m finished playing this game, I’ll be able to do that.”

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Read More: J.J. Hickson (F – SAC), Trevor Booker (F – WAS), Washington Wizards, Cleveland Cavaliers

The NBA lockout does not seem like it will be ending anytime soon, especially following the mess that happened on Thursday as talks between the owners and players broke down. Knowing that, it makes sense that more players will take their talents to Europe as the chance of NBA season gets further and further out of sight — with J.J. Hickson to Israel making his move over night.

Hickson, one of the few bright spots on the Cleveland Cavaliers roster before being traded to the Sacramento Kings prior to the lockout, has signed to play in Israel for Bnei Hasharon until the lockout ends. The forward will replace Washington Wizards forward Trevor Booker as he returns to the United States from an injury that will take several weeks to recover from, according to the press release.

Hickson will join a few player with recognizable names to fans of stateside basketball as former Baylor Bears backcourt members Tweety Carter and LaceDarius Dunn play for Bnei Hasharon along with fellow NCAA standouts Delroy James of Rhode Island and Creighton’s Kenny Lawson.

Todd Porter of CantonRep.com writes about the journey made by Canton Charge coach Alex Jensen.

Jensen, the coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ NBDL team,  played college basketball for Rick Majerus at Utah. And he had been a coach for Majerus at St. Louis.

Canton’s new head coach is embracing his new home.

“This was a gut feeling and an opportunity I couldn’t pass up,” Jensen said. “You’re an extension of the Cavaliers.”

As a player, Jensen helped the Utes reach the NCAA championship game in 1998 against Kentucky.

Jensen is especially a good fit for the Charge because he has been where most of his players are about to be.

He has played overseas. He spent four months playing minor-league basketball in the CBA for a team not funded nearly as well as Canton or with a training complex as nice.

Charge players are chasing a dream. Jensen is the guy who has to make sure he develops the future and wins at the same time.

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