Kyrie Irving, a former Duke basketball player, is congratulated after being take with the No. 1 pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers during the NBA basketball draft, Thursday, June 23, 2011, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Kyrie Irving wants to be the cornerstone of the Cavaliers’ franchise.

The Duke point guard is going to get his wish.

He was the Cavaliers’ first overall pick in the NBA draft on Thursday.

In a mildly shocking move at No. 4 overall, the Cavs selected Texas power forward Tristan Thompson.



“My immediate impact will be bringing a winning attitude,” Irving said. “I want to be the cornerstone they build around and put players around. I can’t wait to be a Cleveland Cavalier.”

Cavs general manager Chris Grant said they identified the two players early in the process.

“Early on, we made the decision to take the two best players, two best talents and human beings,” Grant said. “These two are fantastic people. That means a lot to us.

“They were high on our boards all season. Going through this process, they kept moving up. These are two good players that can grow together.”

The Cavs added the consensus No. 1 player in the 2011 draft.

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