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Who Is Kevin Durant?
Kevin Durant is a prominent professional basketball player, recognized for his exceptional talent and achievements on the court. A high school basketball standout, Durant played only one season at the University of Texas before declaring for the NBA Draft, where he was selected second overall by the Seattle SuperSonics in 2007. Following a successful Rookie of the Year campaign, Durant established himself as a four-time scoring champion for the franchise, which later transitioned to the Oklahoma City Thunder. In 2014, he earned the prestigious title of Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the NBA. Subsequently, Durant contributed to the Golden State Warriors’ back-to-back championships before signing with the Brooklyn Nets in the summer of 2019.
Early Life
Kevin Wayne Durant was born on September 29, 1988, in Suitland, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C. As the youngest of four children to Wanda and Wayne Pratt, Durant developed a passion for sports alongside his siblings—sister Brianna and brothers Anthony and Rayvonne, the latter also pursuing basketball. A significant influence in his life was his grandmother, Barbara, who instilled in him the belief that his height was a blessing, despite teasing from classmates about being the tallest in school.
Durant’s basketball journey began with the PG Jaguars, an Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) youth team in Prince George’s County, Maryland, where he helped lead the team to two national championships. In honor of his AAU coach and childhood mentor, Charles Craig, who passed away at the age of 35, Durant continues to wear the No. 35 jersey.
During his high school years, Durant experienced a growth spurt, reaching a height of 6’9″. He played for several esteemed programs, including the National Christian Academy, Montrose Christian School in Maryland, and the renowned Oak Hill Academy in Virginia. After an outstanding senior year, he garnered national attention, being named to both Parade magazine’s “First Team” and USA Today’s “First Team All-American,” attracting the interest of top college basketball recruiters across the country.
College Career at the University of Texas
Kevin Durant received offers from several top Division I colleges during his recruitment. Despite being encouraged by his friend, point guard Tywon Lawson, to join him at the University of North Carolina Tar Heels, Durant ultimately chose to sign with the University of Texas Longhorns in Austin. His connection with Russell Springman, a Longhorn assistant coach and fellow Maryland native, began as early as Durant’s freshman year in high school, solidifying his decision.
As a freshman at Texas, Durant made an immediate impact, starting every game and averaging an impressive 25.8 points per game—leading the Big 12 Conference and ranking fourth nationally. Additionally, he recorded an average of 11 rebounds per game over 35 games, with 30 games scoring over 20 points and 11 surpassing 30 points. His standout performance in the Big 12 Tournament earned him the Most Valuable Player award, setting a tournament record with 92 points and guiding the Longhorns to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, where they were ultimately defeated by the University of Southern California.
At the conclusion of the season, Durant garnered significant accolades, receiving both the Oscar Robertson and Adolph F. Rupp awards, marking him as the first freshman in history to achieve this dual recognition.
Oklahoma City All-Star
Following his stellar freshman year, Durant declared for the 2007 NBA Draft and was selected second overall by the Seattle SuperSonics in June 2007. Around the same time, he signed a lucrative seven-year endorsement deal with Nike, valued at $60 million—one of the largest contracts of its kind at that time, second only to LeBron James’s Nike deal.
Durant lived up to the high expectations placed upon him, averaging over 20 points per game in his rookie season and earning the NBA Rookie of the Year Award. The SuperSonics subsequently relocated and became the Oklahoma City Thunder, where Durant emerged as the franchise’s centerpiece. In 2010, he earned his first All-Star selection, followed by three consecutive NBA scoring titles, including one during his MVP season in 2013-14.
Durant’s tenure with the Thunder was marked by notable team success, where he teamed up with explosive point guard Russell Westbrook and future MVP James Harden. The trio reached the NBA Finals in 2012, although they fell short of a championship. In 2016, Oklahoma City narrowly missed another finals appearance after a hard-fought seven-game series against the Golden State Warriors.
In addition to his NBA success, Durant has represented the United States in international competitions, winning the FIBA World Championship MVP award in 2010. He was also a member of the U.S. basketball team that captured the gold medal at the 2012 Olympic Games in London and again in the 2016 Summer Games in Brazil, where he was named co-USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year alongside Carmelo Anthony.
NBA Champion with the Golden State Warriors
On July 4, 2016, Durant made headlines in the NBA by announcing his decision to sign with the Golden State Warriors. In his announcement on The Players’ Tribune, he emphasized his desire for personal growth as a player and an individual, stating that the move was a step out of his comfort zone to a new environment that would allow for both contribution and development. Despite facing criticism for joining an already successful team, Durant’s choice proved to be a pivotal one. In June 2017, he led the Warriors to victory against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals, scoring 39 points in the clinching Game 5 and earning Finals MVP honors with an average of 35.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 5.4 assists throughout the series. Reflecting on his journey, Durant expressed gratitude for his hard work finally coming together.
In the following season, Durant showcased his leadership when two-time MVP Stephen Curry suffered an MCL sprain late in the year. Durant’s performance carried the team through the early playoff rounds, and upon Curry’s return, the Warriors completed a sweep of the Cavaliers in their finals rematch, with Durant claiming his second consecutive Finals MVP award.
However, the 2018-19 season proved to be one of the most challenging for Durant and the Warriors. An in-game altercation with teammate Draymond Green escalated into a locker room confrontation, reflecting a shift in team dynamics. Despite these challenges, the Warriors secured the Western Conference title with 57 wins and advanced through the playoffs, though they faced setbacks with Durant sidelined due to a strained calf. Unfortunately, during his attempted return in the NBA Finals, Durant suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon, significantly impacting his career trajectory.
Brooklyn Nets
Despite expectations that Durant would miss the entire 2019-20 NBA season due to his Achilles injury, he made headlines at the beginning of the 2019 free agency period by agreeing to a four-year deal with the Brooklyn Nets. In March 2020, shortly after the NBA suspended its season in response to the coronavirus outbreak, Durant announced that he had tested positive for COVID-19, marking a challenging chapter in his career as he prepared for his return to the court.