Duke coach Jon Scheyer on former Blue Devils guard Kyrie Irving and antisemitism

Jon Scheyer has built a solid relationship with Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving since the latter replaced him as Duke’s starting point guard 12 years ago.

So Scheyer intends to talk with Irving about his recent actions on social media, which have appeared to sympathize with antisemitism.

“I’ve known Kyrie for a long time, and I’ve had nothing but incredible interactions with him,” Scheyer, in his first year as Duke’s basketball coach, said Wednesday night. “For me, it’s less about Kyrie. It’s more just about what’s happening all across our country, right? I mean, you see things in the news and it’s concerning. Antisemitism of any kind, is horrible and wrong and unacceptable.”

While Duke was beating Fayetteville State 82-45 in an exhibition game at Cameron Indoor Stadium, the Brooklyn Nets announced they and Irving are each donating $500,000 to the Anti-Defamation League.

In October, Irving drew sharp criticism when, on social media, he shared an Amazon listing for “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America,” an antisemitic documentary that quotes Adolf Hitler.

Earlier this year, Irving shared a video on Instagram from 2002 of conspiracy theorist Alex Jones complaining about a “New World Order.”

On Wednesday, he took responsibility for damage done with the donation and a statement.

“I oppose all forms of hatred and oppression and stand strong with communities that are marginalized and impacted every day,” Irving said in the statement. “I am aware of the negative impact of my post towards the Jewish community and I take responsibility. I do not believe everything said in the documentary was true or reflects my morals and principles. I am a human being learning from all walks of life and I intend to do so with an open mind and a willingness to listen. So from my family and I, we meant no harm to any one group, race or religion of people, and wish to only be a beacon of truth and light.”

That wasn’t enough for Duke graduate Adam Silver, the NBA commissioner, who was highly critical of Irving in a statement he released Thursday morning.

“Kyrie Irving made a reckless decision to post a link to a film containing deeply offensive antisemitic material,” Silver said in a statement. “While we appreciate the fact that he agreed to work with the Brooklyn Nets and the Anti-Defamation League to combat antisemitism and other forms of discrimination, I am disappointed that he has not offered an unqualified apology and more specifically denounced the vile and harmful content contained in the film he chose to publicize. I will be meeting with Kyrie in person in the next week to discuss this situation.”

Irving’s statement Wednesday was far different than last Saturday night’s press conference following a Nets loss to the Indiana Pacers, when Irving pushed back at the criticism, at one point saying, “I can post whatever I want.”

“I’m in a unique position to have an influence on my community,” Irving said, “and what I post does not mean that I support everything that’s being said or everything that’s being done or I’m campaigning for anything. All I do is post things for my people and my community and those it’s actually going to impact. Anyone else who has criticism, it obviously wasn’t meant for them.”

Irving played one season, shortened to just 11 games by injury, for the Blue Devils in 2010-11. The Cleveland Cavaliers selected him with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft.

On Oct. 29, the NBA released a statement that, while not mentioning Irving by name, denounced his actions.

“Hate speech of any kind is unacceptable and runs counter to the NBA’s values of equality, inclusion and respect,” the statement said. “We believe we all have a role to play in ensuring such words or ideas, including antisemitic ones, are challenged and refuted and we will continue working with all members of the NBA community to ensure that everyone understands the impact of their words and actions.”

On Tuesday, the National Basketball Players Association, of which Irving is the vice president, released a statement saying, “Antisemitism has no place in our society.”

“We are committed,” the statement continued, “to helping players fully understand that certain words can lead to hateful ideologies being spread.”

Scheyer said it’s important for him to use his newly expanded platform to denounce hateful actions. He said he chose not to directly criticize Irving because the two had yet to speak about the situation.

“I think it’s important for all of us, for myself being the coach here or for whoever to use our platform in the right way,” Scheyer said. “I always speak out against (antisemitism). I don’t want to comment on Kyrie without talking to him first.”

In a statement regarding the donations, the Anti-Defamation League’s Jonathan Greenblatt said it’s important to confront antisemitism in order to eradicate it.

“At a time when antisemitism has reached historic levels, we know the best way to fight the oldest hatred is to both confront it head-on and also to change hearts and minds,” said Greenblatt, the ACL’s chief executive officer. “With this partnership, ADL will work with the Nets and Kyrie to open dialogue and increase understanding. At the same time, we will maintain our vigilance and call out the use of anti-Jewish stereotypes and tropes — whatever, whoever, or wherever the source — as we work toward a world without hate.”