As Nets guard Kyrie Irving prepares to return to the court on Sunday against the Grizzlies following a team-issued suspension for sharing an antisemitic film on social media, the Brooklyn star sat down in an exclusive interview with SNY’s Ian Begley to discuss his suspension and path to return to the court.

In the interview, Begley asked Irving if he was antisemitic.

“No, I am not antisemitic. I never have been. I don’t have hate in my heart for the Jewish people or for anyone that identifies as a Jew. I’m not anti-Jewish or any of that. It’s been difficult to sit at home with my family with them seeing all this and having questions and the part that hasn’t been hard is explaining myself, because I know who I am and what I represent,” Irving said.

When asked about his intent behind sharing the video, Irving expanded on his reasoning behind the tweet of the antisemitic film on social media.

“Well number one, I meant no harm,” Irving said. “I didn’t want to be put in a position where I’m against any community. Like I said during the press conference after one of the games, I just went to look up my name Kyrie, which also translates in Hebrew to ‘Yahweh’ and I wanted to share the link with all those that were also on the same journey and search for their heritage as I am on. "