Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant
Clément Bardot · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Name	Kevin Durant
Caption	Durant with the Golden State Warriors in 2018
Position	Small forward / Power forward
Height in	10
Weight lb	240
Birth date	29 September 1988
Birth place	Washington, D.C.
High school	Oak Hill Academy, (Mouth of Wilson, Virginia)
College	Texas (2006–2007)
Draft year	2007
Draft team	Seattle SuperSonics
Career start	2007
Career number	35, 7

Kevin Durant is an American professional basketball player widely regarded as one of the greatest scorers in NBA history. Standing 6 feet 10 inches tall, he combines the size of a power forward with the shooting and ball-handling skills of a guard, making him a uniquely versatile offensive threat. Durant has won two NBA championships, an NBA Most Valuable Player award, and four NBA scoring titles during his career with the Seattle SuperSonics/Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors, Brooklyn Nets, and Phoenix Suns. He is also a two-time Olympic gold medalist with the United States men's national basketball team.

Early life and high school career

Born in Washington, D.C., he was primarily raised by his mother, Wanda Durant, in Prince George's County, Maryland. He began his high school career at National Christian Academy in Fort Washington, Maryland, before transferring to the prestigious Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia, where he led the team to a 34–2 record and was named a McDonald's All-American. For his senior season, he returned to the Washington metropolitan area to play for Montrose Christian School in Rockville, Maryland, earning Parade National Player of the Year honors. His performance at the 2006 Nike Hoop Summit and the Jordan Brand Classic solidified his status as the nation's top prospect.

College career

He played one season of college basketball for the Texas Longhorns under coach Rick Barnes. He immediately became a dominant force in the Big 12 Conference, averaging 25.8 points and 11.1 rebounds per game. He was named the NABC Player of the Year, the Wooden Award winner, and a consensus first-team All-American. His stellar season led the Longhorns to the second round of the NCAA tournament, after which he declared for the NBA draft.

Professional career

He was selected second overall by the Seattle SuperSonics in the 2007 NBA draft, winning the NBA Rookie of the Year Award before the franchise relocated to become the Oklahoma City Thunder. Alongside Russell Westbrook and James Harden, he led the Thunder to the NBA Finals in 2012 and won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award in 2014. In 2016, he joined the Golden State Warriors, where he won back-to-back championships in 2017 and 2018, earning Finals MVP honors both times. After recovering from an Achilles injury, he signed with the Brooklyn Nets in 2019, and was later traded to the Phoenix Suns in 2023.

National team career

A key figure for USA Basketball, he has competed in three FIBA World Cup tournaments and three Olympic Games. He won gold medals at the 2010 World Championship and the 2012, 2016, and 2020 Olympic Games. At the 2020 Summer Olympics, he set the record for the most total points scored by an American men's basketball player in Olympic history, surpassing Carmelo Anthony.

Player profile

Nicknamed "The Slim Reaper" and "KD", he is renowned for his elite scoring ability from anywhere on the court. His combination of height, a high release point on his jump shot, and fluid ball-handling makes him nearly unguardable. He is a career 50% shooter from the field and over 38% from three-point range, and he has also developed into a capable defender, utilizing his length to contest shots and disrupt passing lanes. His style has influenced a generation of tall, skilled perimeter players.

Off the court

He has significant business ventures, including investments in technology startups and a production company, Thirty Five Ventures, co-founded with his manager Rich Kleiman. He is also known for his philanthropy, having donated millions to causes like After-School All-Stars and for the construction of the University of Texas' Moody Center. His outspoken nature on social issues and use of platforms like Twitter and his YouTube channel have made him a prominent voice beyond basketball.

Awards and honors

His accolades include two NBA championships, two NBA Finals MVP awards, the NBA MVP (2014), four NBA scoring titles, and 13 NBA All-Star selections. He was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team and has been selected to 10 All-NBA teams (six First Team). Internationally, his four Olympic gold medals (three with the senior team) stand as a record for a men's basketball player.

Category:American men's basketball players Category:NBA All-Stars Category:Olympic gold medalists for the United States in basketball