US basketball star Kyrie Irving has apologised after he was suspended by his team, the Brooklyn Nets, amid allegations of antisemitism.

Mr Irving received a five-game ban from the Nets after defending his decision to post a link to a documentary that denies the Holocaust, includes quotes attributed to Adolf Hitler, and claims Jews controlled the African slave trade and the media.

Following days of defending the post, Mr Irving was given an opportunity during a press conference on Thursday to disavow antisemitism. Instead, he told reporters, "I respect all walks of life. I embrace all walks of life. That's where I sit."

Hours later, the Nets issued a strongly-worded letter acknowledging that they were "dismayed" that Mr Irving "refused to unequivocally say he has no antisemitic beliefs even when given a clear opportunity to do so,"

In a statement posted to Instagram, Irving said he was "deeply sorry" for the "hurt and pain" he had caused.

He added that he "reacted out of emotion to being 'unjustly labelled' antisemitic, instead of focusing on the healing process of my Jewish Brothers and Sisters that were hurt from the hateful remarks in the documentary.

"I had no intentions to disrespect any Jewish cultural history regarding the Holocaust or perpetuate any hate.

"I am learning from this unfortunate event,"

https://www.instagram.com/p/Ckhj8iIu0HN/

Late last week the 30-year-old All-Star guard grabbed attention after sharing an Amazon link to the 2018 film “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America”, a movie based on a 2015 book by the same name, which tries to blame Jewish people for anti-black racism.

A synopsis for the film on Amazon said it “uncovers the true identity of the Children of Israel.”

Mr Irving’s post was condemned by Nets owner Joe Tsai, who wrote to Twitter on Friday saying he was disappointed that Irving appeared to support a film “based on a book full of antisemitic disinformation”.

The NBA, who fell short of mentioning Mr Irving by name, released a statement on Saturday to Twitter that read: “Hate speech of any kind is unacceptable and runs counter to the NBA’s values of equality, inclusion, and respect,”

I’m disappointed that Kyrie appears to support a film based on a book full of anti-semitic disinformation. I want to sit down and make sure he understands this is hurtful to all of us, and as a man of faith, it is wrong to promote hate based on race, ethnicity or religion.

— Joe Tsai (@joetsai1999) October 29, 2022

Following backlash, Mr Irving defended himself on Twitter and then again during a press conference on Saturday, telling reporters: “I’m not going to stand down on anything I believe in, I’m only going to get stronger because I’m not alone. I have a whole army around me.

“Did I do anything illegal? Did I hurt anybody? Did I harm anybody? Am I going out and saying that I hate one specific group of people?”

Mr Irving finally took down the offending Tweet late on Monday after defending the post for days.

This week Mr Irving has spoken with Anti-Defamation League CEO and National Director Jonathan Greenblatt, who also tweeted about the issue on Saturday.

The social media posts from @KyrieIrving are troubling. The book and film he promotes trade in deeply #antisemitic themes including those promoted by dangerous sects of the Black Hebrew Israelites movement. Irving should clarify now. More on BHI here: https://t.co/GNvuQ2Ueqj https://t.co/KPn6PNEiar

— Jonathan Greenblatt (@JGreenblattADL) October 28, 2022

On Wednesday, the Brooklyn Nets, the Anti-Defamation League, and Mr Irving, released a joint statement addressing the controversy.

“I oppose all forms of hatred and oppression and stand strong with communities that are marginalised and impacted every day,” wrote Mr Irving,

“I am aware of the negative impact of my post towards the Jewish community and I take full responsibility. I do not believe everything said in the documentary was true or reflects my morals or principles. I am a human being learning from all walks of life and I intend to do so with an open mind and a willingness to learn.”

It was announced that both Mr Irving and the Brooklyn Nets will each donate $500,000 “toward causes and organisations that work to eradicate hate and intolerance in our communities.”

The Nets and Mr Irving will also work with the ADL in an effort “to develop educational programming that is inclusive and will comprehensively combat all forms of antisemitism and bigotry.”

Joint statement from Kyrie Irving, the Brooklyn Nets, and the Anti-Defamation League pic.twitter.com/5szamIClsh

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) November 2, 2022

Earlier this week, former American basketball stars Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal slammed the NBA’s decision for not suspending Mr Irving over his antisemitic actions on Twitter.

Speaking on a basketball discussion show called Inside the NBA on Tuesday, Mr Barkley said, “I think the NBA dropped the ball. I think he [Irving] should have been suspended.”

Mr Barkley drew on recent examples where the basketball league had suspended players for using homophobic slurs and said the same should happen with race and ethnic hate.

Mr O’Neal explained that when players are in the national spotlight they must be “very responsible” with what they shared on social media, adding: “When you’re as great at basketball as he is, people listen to you. It hurts me that we have to sit up here and talk about stuff that divides us,

“We have to sit up here and answer for what this idiot has done.”

A group of basketball fans all wearing “Fight Antisemitism” shirts occupied court-side seats at a game involving Mr Irving on Monday.

Hip hop star Kanye West, who has recently lost a number of brand deals after a series of antisemitic remarks and tirades, took to social media to defend Mr Irving. In an Instagram post, Kanye shared a black and white photo of Irving with the caption “There’s some real ones still here.”

Mr Irving has previously touted several conspiracy theories, including asserting that the Earth was flat, a view which he later backtracked. Mr Irving also liked posts by conspiracy theorist Alex Jones in which he claimed that “secret societies are implanting vaccines” in a plot to connect black people to a “master computer for a plan of Satan.”

Mr Irving was also unavailable for most of the Nets’ home games last season because he refused to be vaccinated against COVID-19, as was mandated by New York City. As well as Mr Irving's suspension, the Nets have so far declined to give him a contract extension, meaning he could be in his final season with the team.