Kyrie Irving smiles after being selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers as the first overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft in Newark, New Jersey, June 23, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

NEWARK, New Jersey - The Cleveland Cavaliers selected Duke point guard Kyrie Irving with the first overall pick in the NBA Draft on Thursday in hopes he can help turn around a team that stumbled through last season.

Irving, who can score off the dribble or with a jump shot, is expected to be an immediate contributor when he joins a Cavaliers team whose 26-game losing skid last season set new standards for sporting failure in North America.

Irving played in only 11 games last season after suffering a toe injury but the Cavaliers saw enough to convince them that he was a player to rebuild their team around.

The freshman averaged 17.5 points, 3.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game in his shortened season.

The last time the Cavaliers had the top pick was in 2003 when they used it to grab LeBron James, who left the team last season to join the Miami Heat.

The Cavaliers also have the fourth overall pick while the Minnesota Timberwolves select second and Utah Jazz third.