Kyrie Irving Announces New Partnership Amid NBA Offseason

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Trant | Last updated Jun 17, 2026 6:26 PM ET

After a season that many considered to be a “rebuilding year,” the Dallas Mavericks continue navigating an important offseason for the franchise. The Mavericks finished the 2025-2026 NBA season 26-56, in 12th place in the Western Conference and outside the play-in. While the organization continues preparing for next season, much of the focus remains on the impending return of star guard Kyrie Irving.

Irving did not appear in a game during the 2025-26 season as he continued recovering from a torn ACL. Dallas struggled to fill the hole at the guard position in Irving's absence, as the team finished in the bottom 10 in the NBA in both total points per game and assists per game.

Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11)© Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Despite remaining sidelined, Irving has continued to make an impact away from the court through community initiatives and youth-focused projects.

One of those initiatives is the Uncle Drew Circuit, a youth basketball tournament series founded by Irving that aims to provide young athletes with development opportunities and high-level competition. This week, the program announced a new partnership designed to make those opportunities more accessible.

On Tuesday, the Uncle Drew Circuit took to Instagram and announced a partnership with the Darnell Wright Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded by Chicago Bears offensive tackle Darnell Wright.

The initiative will provide travel scholarships of up to $1,000 for approved applicants competing in the Uncle Drew Circuit's upcoming stops in Las Vegas and New Jersey. According to the announcement, the scholarships are intended to “remove financial barriers and ensure young athletes have access to opportunities to compete and develop their talents.”

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Although Irving has been unable to contribute on the court during his recovery, he continues to display his commitment to growing the game and supporting the future generations of players.

As preparations continue for the upcoming Uncle Drew Circuit events, the partnership could help ensure that more young athletes get the opportunity to showcase their talents.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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