Exclusive: Nets star Kyrie Irving apologizes, shares his message to the Jewish community ahead of potential return from suspension

Earlier this month, the Nets suspended Kyrie Irving for failing to “unequivocally” disavow antisemitism while answering questions from reporters – and issuing a public statement – about his decision to post a link to a film containing antisemitic material.

Now the seven-time All-Star is expected to return to the court Sunday against the Memphis Grizzlies, after missing eight games over a nearly two-week span.

On Saturday afternoon, Irving spoke to SNY in an exclusive interview and detailed the events of the past few weeks.

“I really want to focus on the hurt that I caused or the impact that I made within the Jewish community. Putting some type of threat, or assumed threat, on the Jewish community,” Irving told SNY. “I just want to apologize deeply for all my actions throughout the time that it’s been since the post was first put up. I’ve had a lot of time to think. But my focus, initially, if I could do it over, would be to heal and repair a lot of my close relationships with my Jewish relatives, brothers and sisters.”

In two news conferences and one statement released after his social media post, Irving didn’t unequivocally apologize for sharing the film on his platform. He also didn’t disavow the antisemitic content in the film.

Irving did say in one of the news conferences that he didn’t support everything in the film and couldn’t be antisemitic because he knows where he came from.

In suspending Irving after the second news conference, the Nets cited a failure by Irving to “unequivocally say he has no antisemitic beliefs.” The team called that “disturbing” and declared Irving “unfit” to be associated with the club.

When asked Saturday about his decision to not fully apologize in the initial news conferences, Irving said he reacted emotionally to being labeled antisemitic. He referenced his upbringing in West Orange, N.J., which he described as “a melting pot for a lot of different religious backgrounds, races and cultures.”

“I felt like I was protecting my character and I reacted out of just pure defense and just hurt that I could be labeled, or I thought that I was being labeled as antisemitic or anti-Jewish, and I've felt like that was just so disrespectful to ask me whether or not I was antisemitic or not,” he explained to SNY.

“Now to the outside world, that may have been seen as a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ Which rightfully so, it should've been, 'No, I'm not antisemitic. No, I'm not anti-Jewish.' I'm a person who believes we should all have equal opportunities and that we should all shower each other with love, and that should be at the forefront.

“But it wasn't in that initial conversation, and I take my accountability and I want to apologize for that, because it came off the wrong way completely. What I was really getting at was, 'How can I be antisemitic, if I know where I come from?' That statement itself was just referring back to my childhood and all the relatives and friends that I have made and that I will continue to get to know on a deeper level. They're Jewish – some of them are Jewish, some of them are not Jewish. I felt like that didn't matter, and because I felt like that didn't matter in the moment, it came off the wrong way.”

Irving issued an apology on Instagram earlier this month shortly after he was suspended without pay by the Nets.

In the wake of the social media post, Nike announced it was ending its relationship with Irving.

In the past week, Irving met with members of the Jewish community, NBA commissioner Adam Silver, Nets governors Joe and Clara Wu Tsai. When asked about those conversations on Saturday, Irving described them as “a learning journey, to be honest with you.”

“It was a lot of hurt that needed to be healed, a lot of conversations that needed to be had. And a lot of reflection,” Irving said.

The Nets star was asked Saturday about his initial intent on posting an Amazon link to the film.

He reiterated that he watched the film as part of an effort to learn more about his heritage.

“I wanted to share the link with all those that were also on the same journey and search for their heritage as I am on. The unfortunate aspect in that three-hour documentary is the antisemitic remarks in terms of generalizing Jewish people. I believe that was unfair. That wasn’t the aspect of the post that I wanted the focus to be on,” Irving said.

Several times on Saturday, Irving said he hoped the conversations he’s had over the past two weeks are the first steps in bridging “gaps” between communities.

“The reality is that our actions as human beings and my actions, are going to have to speak louder (than words) because there is a level of hurt and pain that a lot of communities feel for not being recognized, for a lot of their history and a lot of their cultural achievements and accomplishments,” he said. “Because of that, there is a pride that they feel, that I feel, that it should be represented the right way and there shouldn’t be a fear or a thought or a second thought with this. It’s just standing up for the right things. Making sure that you’re standing up with everyone, but specifically in this case, this is the Jewish community that we’re recognizing.”

Irving noted that the post and its aftermath has had an impact on the young people who look up to him.

“That was probably the most painful experience of all this,” he said. “… Specifically when they look to me for peace and love and to see me in this type of light, painted as a person who is going against another community or going against some people or assuming or putting out that I have hate in my heart. It just wasn't easy to see or deal with.”

Irving said he wants to now focus on the "light" shared between Jewish and Black communities. He reiterated that he hopes that the conversations he’s had in the aftermath of his suspension help bring a greater understanding between communities and thanked family and friends for their support.

“I don't stand for any hate speech, I don't stand for racial prejudices or racial discrimination, and I for sure don't stand for any religious hatred against any groups,” he said. “I don't want to bring any harm to any community, I only want to bring more light and peace to our world. In order to do that, you need to come through some moments that maybe (are) challenging and testing.”