“Uncle Drew Unmasked: Netflix to Release New Kyrie Irving Documentary Exploring His Rise, Struggles, Romance, and Legacy”

Netflix has officially announced the release date for its latest sports documentary chapter, this time spotlighting one of the most polarizing and talented figures in basketball—Kyrie Irving. The film, titled Uncle Drew Unmasked: The Kyrie Irving Story, will premiere globally on September 12, 2025, and promises to reveal the real man behind the flashy handles, clutch shots, and off-court controversies.

The documentary takes viewers deep into Kyrie’s world, starting with his early life in New Jersey. Born into a basketball family, Irving was deeply inspired by his father, Drederick Irving, a former professional player. After the loss of his mother when he was just four, Kyrie’s childhood was shaped by resilience and a deep internal drive to honor her memory through excellence.

The film shows never-before-seen footage from Kyrie’s youth—playing on asphalt courts, studying the game late into the night, and writing in his childhood journal that he would play in the NBA. “He always had vision and belief,” says his father in the documentary. “Even before the world saw it, he saw it.”

Irving’s journey to the NBA was marked by determination. His high school dominance led to a brief but electrifying college stint at Duke, followed by being selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. The documentary covers his early NBA days, when he quickly earned Rookie of the Year and was recognized as one of the league’s brightest young stars.

But with greatness came pressure. The film explores Kyrie’s fears and insecurities—his struggle to live up to expectations, manage fame, and stay true to himself. In candid interviews, he speaks about the anxiety that came with becoming a public figure and the personal battles few ever saw.

Kyrie opens up about the 2016 NBA Finals, where his iconic game-winning three-pointer in Game 7 helped deliver Cleveland its first-ever championship. “People talk about that shot,” he says in the film, “but no one talks about the weight I was carrying that season.” The documentary highlights how even triumph came with a mix of joy and emotional exhaustion.

His move from Cleveland to Boston, and then to Brooklyn, is portrayed with nuance. Rather than focusing solely on media narratives, Uncle Drew Unmasked gives Kyrie space to explain his perspective—why he made those decisions, what he was seeking, and the personal toll that came with constant scrutiny.

Romance also plays a major part in the story. The documentary explores Kyrie’s relationship with Marlene Wilkerson, showing how their love and growing family helped stabilize him during chaotic seasons. “With her, I don’t have to be ‘Kyrie the player’—I just get to be me,” he says in a touching segment.

Beyond basketball, the film showcases Kyrie’s strong spiritual and cultural beliefs. It includes his public journey into Native American heritage, fasting during Ramadan while playing, and speaking out on social and political issues. Though often misunderstood, these moments reflect a man deeply committed to purpose beyond the game.

Kyrie’s voice in the documentary is raw and honest. He addresses controversies head-on—his time away from teams, COVID-19 stance, and media criticism. “I’ve made mistakes,” he says. “But I’ve never been afraid to stand for what I believe in.”

The film also celebrates his awards and accolades. From multiple NBA All-Star appearances to his Olympic gold medal and NBA Championship ring, Kyrie’s achievements are highlighted as both extraordinary and hard-earned.

Current and former players—including LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Jayson Tatum—appear to reflect on Kyrie’s influence. “His game changed how guards play today,” says Durant. “He made artistry cool again.” Many younger players cite Kyrie as their inspiration, mimicking his signature dribble moves and fearless style.

Uncle Drew Unmasked also shines a light on Irving’s charitable efforts—his donations to social justice causes, support for women in sports, and his dedication to uplifting Black and Indigenous communities. “Giving back isn’t an option,” he says in the film. “It’s part of who I am.”

The documentary doesn’t shy away from showing Kyrie’s low points—his injuries, media battles, and personal grief. But it balances those with his moments of growth, joy, and quiet reflection. “I had to learn that peace is more valuable than praise,” he tells the camera.

Filmmakers promise an emotional ride. From dramatic game footage to intimate interviews, the story is as much about healing as it is about hooping. One producer described it as “a portrait of a man in motion—on and off the court.”

With powerful visuals, an original score by composer Ludwig Göransson, and direction from Emmy-winner Dawn Porter, the film offers not just entertainment, but insight into a deeply layered human being.

As the release date approaches, fans and critics alike are eager to see what Uncle Drew Unmasked will reveal. Whether you’ve followed Kyrie’s career with admiration or criticism, this documentary aims to show a fuller, more complex picture.

In the end, Uncle Drew Unmasked is about legacy—not just the stats, but the story behind them. Kyrie Irving’s journey is far from finished, but this film captures how far he’s come, how deeply he’s felt, and how powerfully he’s impacted the next generation.

Draymond Green compared Tyrese Haliburton’s handles to those of Stephen Curry and Kyrie Irving

May 31, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, United States Tyrese Haliburton (0) of the Indiana Pacers reacts after Game 6 of the 2025 NBA Playoffs’ Eastern Conference Finals versus the New York Knicks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Tyrese Haliburton, while not winning the Eastern Conference Finals MVP Award, wowed thousands of fans with his amazing passing abilities and three-level scoring as the Pacers advanced to the NBA Finals after defeating the Knicks in Game 6. However, he is also the same player that was just voted the league’s most overrated player by his teammates.

Despite a strong season, he was unable to beat Pascal Siakam for MVP owing to media voting. But, even before this snub, Draymond Green believed the NBA was sleeping on Haliburton, notably his handles. Following Game 4 of the East Finals, Green went on his show to convey his feelings about Haliburton, particularly the number of times he receives wide-open shots because teams fail to pressurize the ball while it is in his hands.

“It’s as if they give him so much space, and his shot takes a little time to load, so they give him so much space…. I’m telling you that Hali’s handle is incredibly underappreciated, which is why they don’t put too much pressure on him. And sneaky, and all these boys are aware that they attempted to press him at various occasions. He struck Mikal Bridges with one near the conclusion of the game, after he went by Mitchell Robinson and ran back.

“So I believe all of those men are aware that if they try to put pressure on him, he would quickly bop their ass. But it doesn’t appear like his handle when you watch it on TV.”

“It’s similar to Steph Curry and Kyrie Irving; their ball handling begins when it appears like they’ve lost the basketball. Because you think they’ve lost it and they got it so wild on the yo-yo, where as soon as you attempt to reach, you’re so out of place and they didn’t catch, and you’re so out of position that there’s no way you can catch up, Hali has some of that.”

Green then mentioned how Haliburton’s height allows him to cover up for all of Irving and Curry’s body motions.

“It’s quite interesting to observe because, looking at it on TV, it doesn’t appear like his handle is that way. When you play his handle, it is much tighter and nicer than it appears. And I believe they are aware of this, which is why they are not putting too much pressure on him. But you can’t just let him look around the court and take you apart.

Tyrese Haliburton averaged 20.5 points, 11.0 assists, and 4.0 rebounds over two games versus the Warriors this season. The Pacers won both of these games. Green participated in one of these two games. He knows directly what Haliburton is capable of. Haliburton has averaging 18.8 points, 9.8 assists, and 5.7 rebounds through 16 games of the 2025 playoffs.

While Haliburton may not pass the sight test, his team’s performance will undoubtedly speak louder than his own remarks. As the Pacers’ leader, his performance will always be evaluated in relation to the team’s success. If the Pacers win the NBA Finals, it will silence all naysayers, including colleagues who voted Haliburton as the league’s most overrated player.

March 12, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA: Oklahoma City Thunder player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives to the basket alongside Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) during the first quarter at Paycom Center.