Duke Basketball: Kyrie Irving Uses Lockout Productively

While most NBA players are weighing the option of earning a paycheck in a foreign league, Kyrie Irving is in college working out and studying.

"I’m going to try and stay in school as long as possible until the lockout is over," Irving said. "My dad still stresses education in my life.

The No.1 overall pick of the 2011 NBA draft left Duke after his freshman year, but is now back taking courses in psychology.

As a first-round pick, Irving has a guaranteed contract, so he need not risk injury playing abroad like ex-Duke teammate Kyle Singler. Singler, picked in the second round by the Detroit Piston,s is now in Spain playing for Lucentum Alicante.

That's why it is so vital that players enter the NBA as high draft pick. The job security is much better.

"I'm trying to be as optimistic as possible with the whole labor situation," Irving told The News-Herald. "The NBA and the players' association need to reach a deal that's fair for both sides."

His lifelong dream was to play in the NBA, and when it does happen, a labour dispute threatens to derail the entire season. Terrible luck, but at least he is staying fit and furthering his education.

The toe injury that saw Irving miss all but 11 games at Duke is not completely healed, but while he is at Duke, maybe he could give players like freshmen Quinn Cook or Austin Rivers a few pointers.