RIO DE JANEIRO – When the Team USA men’s basketball squad makes the rounds at the opening ceremony of the Olympics Friday, they’re sure to be swarmed by fellow athletes who want to take a selfie as a souvenir.
Yet as Kyrie Irving sees it, the feeling will be mutual – especially when he sees Michael Phelps.
“Michael Phelps is definitely on my list,” the Cleveland Cavaliers point guard said with a smile before Friday practice at the Flamengo Club in downtown Rio.
Irving has been a fan of the 18-time gold-medal winning swimmer for some time, but his admiration grew recently when he watched a story chronicling Phelps’ life and on ESPN.