Kyrie Irving's Long, Complicated History of Conspiracies

Kyrie Irving is an award-winning basketball player, but he's also famous for making dubious comments off the court. On Thursday, the NBA star—who's touted several conspiracy theories in the past—posted a decades-old video clip of far-right talk show host Alex Jones ranting about a "New World Order."

Since the start of the pandemic, the Brooklyn Nets player has ruffled feathers over his thoughts on COVID-19. In the video he posted to Instagram, a young Jones warns viewers of the government's supposed plan to "[become] God, basically, when it comes to your health. And then, by releasing diseases, and viruses, and plagues upon us, we then basically get shoved in their system."

Many have criticized Irving for his controversial thoughts on the COVID vaccine, and for purportedly promoting health misinformation amid the pandemic. Last year, Newsweek reported that he was sidelined by the Nets because he refused to get the jab.

Irving may believe far-out theories about COVID, but he's peddled plenty of other conspiracies, too. Here's a look at the NBA player's personal history, plus some of his more unconventional views.

Dinosaurs

Irving has spoken out against what he thinks could be inaccurate representations of dinosaurs. He said during a 2017 interview that experts "find one bone and they make up 98 percent of it digitally" to create "pictures of what they think [dinosaurs] should look like."

JFK Assassination

In a 2017 article, Irving said that he believed President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963 because he sought to "end the bank cartel in the world," The Boston Globe reported. He claimed the Federal Reserve played a role in the plot, adding that he thought the CIA attempted to "hire Jamaicans" to kill reggae music legend Bob Marley.

Flat Earth

Irving revealed during a podcast in the same year that he believes Earth isn't round.

"The Earth is flat," he said, according to ESPN. "The Earth is flat ... It's right in front of our faces."

But months later, he appeared to try to walk back the bold claim, instead saying he meant to encourage people to "do [their] own research" about the shape of our planet, Newsweek reported at the time.

"Our educational system is flawed," Irving continued. "History has been changed throughout so much time."

Activism

Irving has pushed back against the idea that he's against vaccinations, even though he has refused to get inoculated against COVID-19. Still, certain far-right activists have rallied behind him thanks to his comments on vaccine mandates.

In 2016, the NBA baller also publicly supported the Standing Rock water protectors in their protest against the construction of a pipeline.

"My prayers and thoughts are with everyone protesting at Standing Rock," Irving tweeted in November 2016. "I am with you all."

Personal Life

In addition to his basketball skills, Irving plays the baritone sax and once acted in "his high school play," according to Cleveland.com. He also enjoys reading, dancing and singing.

Irving has a daughter, Azurie Elizabeth, who was born in 2015. He's an official member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe.

The basketball virtuoso has also reportedly switched to a plant-based diet. And last year, he opened up about observing Ramadan.

"For me, in terms of my faith and what I believe in, being part of the Muslim community, being committed to Islam, and also just being committed to all races and cultures, religions, just having an understanding and respect," he said, according to Yahoo! Sports. "I just want to put that as a foundation."

Newsweek has reached out to an Irving representative for comment.