Kyrie Irving is a walking contradiction.

He is shy -- to the point you wouldn't think he played basketball -- a former high school teammate said. He regularly watches science programs and the History and Discovery Channels. He doesn't have a car or even a driver's license. He participated in his high school musical this year and is genuine when he says education means a lot to him -- just look at his 3.5 high school GPA.

But when the 18-year-old Duke-bound Irving takes the court, he is ruthless. He will pressure a player the length of the floor, drain shots from well beyond the NBA three-point line and make acrobatic moves in mid air that few players can perform.

"He's kind of a different kid, but he's a regular kid," says his dad, Drederick Irving, who played professionally in Australia and is among Boston University's all-time leading scorers. "He's the quiet assassin."

When Kyrie Irving was just 7, Drederick Irving instilled in him a three-word mantra that Kyrie wrote on his backpack and still uses as his life motto.

"Hungry and humble," Kyrie Irving says.

The latter is both a strength and a weakness.

Irving transferred to St. Patrick high school in Elizabeth, N.J., before his junior year, knowing he would have to share the spotlight with North Carolina-bound Dexter Strickland and the then No. 1 sophomore in the country, Michael Gilchrist.

While that much talent on one court has sometimes led to mediocrity, St. Patrick made it work, not letting egos deter the pursuit of excellence as it captured the 2009 New Jersey Tournament of Champions.

"Kyrie was able to come in and lead the team in scoring, but at the same time do it in an unselfish manner," said Kevin Boyle, who has coached St. Patrick the last 22 seasons. "He was very conscious of fitting in, almost to the point of being too unselfish. It says a lot about him as a person that he put the team ahead of himself."

Irving's selflessness can be one of his biggest strengths, but it has also hurt him at times.

In the closing seconds of a game this past season against Oak Hill Academy, he passed the ball to teammate Derrick Gordon with St. Patrick trailing by 79-78 with just a few seconds remaining. Gordon missed the shot, and the Celtics lost the game.

Tom Konchalski, the publisher of High School Basketball Illustrated who is widely considered among the premiere talent evaluators in the country, said one of Irving's weaknesses is that he isn't always as aggressive as he could be down the stretch.

"If it happens earlier in the game, that's the right play -- to pass to the guy who's more open than you," Konchalski said. "But with the game on the line, he's got to decide that game."

Konchalski said that late-game strategies can be taught over time, particularly by a coach like Mike Krzyzewski.

Irving's athletic ability cannot.

"He has the best first step since Fred Astaire," Konchalski said jokingly.

What sets Irving apart from other prospects, Konchalski said, is that extensive range on his jump shot and mid-air body control.

Konchalski said Irving's strong wrists and forearms enable him to do things a lot of players his size can't.

"He catches you off guard sometimes because you don't expect him to put the

ball up from those distances, but he's just extremely explosive and is a great finisher," Konchalski said.

Irving acknowledges that he has a lot to prove, but he said he doesn't put pressure on himself because it leads to expectations, which can get inside a player's head.

His goals for now, he said, are simply to be a successful player and student.

Irving said he keeps in regular contact with several Duke players, including Andre Dawkins, Seth Curry and Nolan Smith.

He is also good friends with rising high school senior Austin Rivers, who recently de-committed from Florida and seems to be high on Duke, according to several reports. But Irving said he isn't doing much recruiting, instead leaving it up to the Duke coaching staff.

Irving is set to graduate from St. Patrick June 5 and said he will begin taking summer classes at Duke July 1. When he arrives on campus, he said, he will mainly focus on getting his body prepared for college play. Hard work will take care of the skill work, he said.

Several unknowns surround his future. There will likely be a transition time for him to adjust to his new surroundings in Durham, and he will need to make on-court adjustments as he develops a feel for the college game.

But the biggest question seems to be how long he will be at Duke. Irving is currently projected as the No. 4 pick in the 2011 NBA Draft by nbadraft.net.

"I just want Kyrie, first and foremost, to be a student," Drederick Irving says. "I expect him to maintain a certain GPA. You know when you're giving 110 percent, and if you're not, there will be consequences. It’s a simple process."

Konchalski also stressed educational importance, both in the classroom and on the court.

"I hope he goes there with an open mind just to enjoy the college experience, get an education and become a better college basketball player while playing in a great program," Konchalski said. "I hope he doesn't think this is a brief pit stop in his journey to the NBA because the longer he stays there, the better prepared he'll be going to the NBA."

Irving admits that playing in the NBA is his dream, but he said he wasn't focusing on that right now and would stay true to his motto.

"My plan right now," he says, "is just to stay humble and stay level-headed and just go into Duke with an open mind and be ready to learn."