Kyrie Irving playing defense. Courtesy of DukeBluePlanet

Less than a year after being the number one pick in the NBA draft, Cleveland Cavaliers guard and former Duke player Kyrie Irving was named the Kia Rookie of the Year in the NBA.

He received 117 first place votes from a panel of 120 sportwriters and broadcasters.

Among NBA rookies, Irving ranked first in scoring (18.5 points per game), field goal percentage (46.9%), and free throw percentage (87.2%). He was second in assists (5.4 assists per game) and three point field goal percentage (39.9%).

Among all NBA players, Irving was fourth in fourth quarter scoring (6.4 points).

Irving became just the fifth player ever to be drafted number one in the NBA draft and average at least 18 PPG and 5 APG. He joins Oscar Robertson, Magic Johnson, Allen Iverson, and LeBron James.

KIA Motors America will donate a new Kia Sorento CUV to the New Jersey Roadrunners, Irving’s former AAU team. They will also present a brand new Sorento to the charity of choice of each of five 2011-12 year-end award winners as part of the “The Kia NBA Performance Awards.”

Click HERE for video.

It was a big weekend for NBA rookie Kyrie Irving, the former Duke star.

Two days after scoring a career-high 32 points against the NJ Nets (in January 27th), the Cleveland Cavaliers guard scored 23 points in a road win over the Boston Celtics.

What was so great about him scoring 23 points?

Well, two of those points came on this game-winning layup with 2.6 seconds left, as the Cavs won 88-87:

As I noted yesterday, there are plenty of former Duke players speckled across the NBA. I only covered a few yesterday and today I will cover the rest.

The NBA season begins tomorrow (Christmas Day) and the preseason was shortened to just two games, so here is how the rest of the former Blue Devils did in those two games:

Grant Hill, who re-signed with the Phoenix Suns, played just one preseason game (their last one). He went just 2-for-8 from the field for eight points. He did play 26 minutes.

Dunleavy & Battier via Duke Blue Planet

Mike Dunleavy signed with the Milwaukee Bucks once the lockout was over. He started both of the Bucks preseason games (0-2) and averaged 14.5 points over an average of 27 minutes. He also shot 50% from the field while averaging three rebounds and 3.5 assists. He also did not commit a turnover.

Josh McRoberts signed with the LA Lakers once the lockout was over. In their two games, he came off the bench to go 2-for-2 from the field. He also hauled in three rebounds in about an average of 16.5 minutes.

Sheldon Williams, who just signed with the NJ Nets, may see more playing time with the foot injury to big man Brook Lopez. He started both of the Nets preseason games (0-2) and averaged four points in an average of 22.9 minutes. He shot 50% from the field and hauled in eight rebounds.

Dahntay Jones went just 2-for-11 in the Indiana Pacers’ two preseason games (0-2). That turns out to an average of three points in an average of 14 minutes.

Shane Battier, who just signed with the Miami Heat, did not play in the preseason due to a strained left quad.

It wasn’t just the veterans who had decent preseasons.

Cleveland Cavaliers press conference

The number 1 pick in this past NBA draft, Kyrie Irving, played well coming off the bench for the Cleveland Cavaliers. He averaged 16 points and 26 minutes in those two games. He did commit five turnovers in his first game (though he scored 21 points), but settled down and did not commit a turnover in his next game. He shot 34.6% while averaging four rebounds and three assists.

Fellow rookie, Nolan Smith, is competing for the backup point guard spot with the Portland Trailblazers. He only averaged nine minutes in their two games for an average of two points. He did however average 2.5 rebounds.

*Tune in Christmas Day to ABC, ESPN, and TNT as the NBA season kicks off with five games throughout the day and night.

By now, you all know that Kyrie Irving went number one to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Nolan Smith went 21st to the Portland Trailblazers. Finally Kyle Singler went 33rd to the Detroit Pistons (in the second round).

Cleveland Cavaliers press conference

Today, Kyrie was introduced to the Cleveland fans, along with fellow first round pick, Tristan Thompson from Texas. More questions were actually posed to Thompson than Kyrie (Tristan seems a little more media friendly).

Here’s my favorite question to Thompson: What will be the biggest adjustment for you, adapting to the weather in Cleveland or the NBA? “Well, being from Toronto, I’m used to the cold…” Maybe the person asking the question should have checked his background. They talked about it at the draft.

What was draft day like for Kyrie? “It was a nerve-wracking day.” When NBA Commissioner David Stern said the Cavs were on the clock, Kyrie said it was the longest five minutes of his life.

He said he is looking forward to getting better and helping the Cavs in the future. He’s not really worried about the pressure of being the number one pick.

Smith being picked by the Portland Trailblazers was interesting, especially now that they acquired fellow guard Raymond Felton. They also drafted Jon Diebler from Ohio State. Smith spent the draft day working out in the afternoon (he didn’t want to take a day off) and watching the draft on TV with his mom, sister, and stepdad.

What made the Pistons select Singler over some other players (like a potential first-rounder who dropped)? His toughness and his accomplishments at the collegiate level.

“He’s accomplished on the court,” Pistons vice president Scott Perry said. “He’s a high-character guy. He’s well-coached, a winner and he’s tough. You can never have too many guys who work on their game as hard as they can.”

The NBA Draft will occur on June 23rd in NJ. Three former Duke Blue Devils are expected to be drafted, with point guard Kyrie Irving expected to be selected either number one or two. However Irving has decided not to work out at the combine and will only work out for the Cleveland Cavaliers, who have the first pick, once. Doctors believe that Irving’s toe (which seems to get a lot of attention) should be fine.

In NBADraft.net‘s mock draft, they had Irving being selected number two by the Minnesota Twins (I can imagine him dishing to Kevin Love), with Arizona forward Derrick Williams being taken number one by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Now (as of June 14th) they have Irving being selected number one by the Cavs.

Check out more Kyrie news:

Kyrie Irving: Why Cavaliers Need to Take Closer Look at Irving During Workout Sport Shots

Does Kyrie Irving Have Franchise Player Potential? Sport Shots

Kyrie Irving Wants to Remain Normal… Cleveland.com

Kyrie Irving plans on degree in five years College Basketball Nation Blog

Former St. Patrick star Kyrie Irving could bring Cavaliers new life as No.1 overall pick NJ.com

Derrick Williams versus Kyrie Irving: Who’s No.1? Arizona Desert Swarm

Can Kyrie Irving Make the Cleveland Cavaliers a Contender? Bleacher Report

Tuesday night was the NBA draft lottery, which was held live on ESPN. The Cleveland Cavaliers earned the number one pick. The Minnesota Timberwolves have the second pick.

Won’t Kyrie Irving look great passing to Kevin Love in Minnesota? The former Duke Blue Devil was in person at the lottery as he gets psyched for the upcoming NBA draft. Many believe that the Cavs will choose between Irving and Arizona forward Derrick Williams, who made a name for himself in the NCAA Tournament. Most believe Irving will be the number pick, even after playing in just 11 games this past season at Duke due to his foot injury.

The NBA draft will be held on June 23rd.

There has been a lot of talk about who should go number one, so sit back and relax this morning and check out some good reading:

Cavs win No. 1 pick: Wolves 2nd ESPN (there’s some really good video coverage)

Chad Ford’s Mock Draft, Version 2.0 ESPN

Who would you pick in the NBA draft? ESPN

Hopes high for lottery teams despite dearth of Draft talent NBA.com

Down year for US opens Draft door for internationals NBA.com