Kevin Durant

• 1. The Boy From Prince George's

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  Kevin Durant was born on the 29th of September 1988, in Washington, D.C., to Wanda and Wayne Pratt. His father left the family when Kevin was an infant, leaving his mother and grandmother Barbara Davis to raise him. By age 13, his father reentered his life and traveled with him to basketball tournaments across the country. He grew up in Prince George's County, Maryland, on the eastern outskirts of Washington, D.C. Durant reached six feet tall while still in middle school between ages 10 and 12. He wanted to play for the Toronto Raptors as a child because Vince Carter was his favorite player. During his youth, he played Amateur Athletic Union basketball for several teams in the Maryland area. He wore jersey number 35 to honor Charles Craig, his AAU coach who was murdered at age 35. He played two years at National Christian Academy before transferring to Oak Hill Academy. For his senior year, he moved to Montrose Christian School where he grew taller during the season. He committed to the University of Texas after visiting schools like Connecticut and North Carolina.

• 2. A Freshman's Historic Run

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  Durant played one season for the Texas Longhorns during the 2006, 07 college season. He averaged 25.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game for the team. Texas finished with a 25, 10 record overall and a 12, 4 conference record. The team won their first round match-up against New Mexico State but lost in the second round to USC despite Durant scoring 30 points and grabbing nine rebounds. He became the unanimous national player of the year that season. This made him the first freshman to win any of the major national player of the year awards including the John R. Wooden Award and the Naismith College Player of the Year Award. His No. 35 jersey was later retired by the Longhorns. Following the season, he declared for the NBA draft. He had stated he would have entered the 2006 NBA draft if not for the one-and-done rule which prevented him from declaring early.

• 3. The Thunder And The MVP

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  Durant was selected as the second overall pick in the 2007 NBA draft by the Seattle SuperSonics after Greg Oden went first to Portland. In his first regular season game, the 19-year-old registered 18 points, five rebounds, and three steals against the Denver Nuggets. On November 16, he made the first game-winning shot of his career against the Atlanta Hawks. At the end of the 2007, 08 season, he was named NBA Rookie of the Year with averages of 20.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game. He joined Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James as the only teenagers to average at least 20 points per game over an entire season. The Supersonics relocated to Oklahoma City becoming the Thunder and switching to blue orange and yellow colors. They drafted Russell Westbrook who formed an All-Star combination with Durant. By the 2009, 10 season, Durant became the youngest NBA scoring champion averaging 30.1 points per game. He led the Thunder to a Finals appearance in 2012 losing to Miami Heat 1, 4. During that series he averaged 30.6 points on a 54.8 shooting rate. In April 2014 he surpassed Michael Jordan's record for consecutive games scoring 25 points or more at 41 games. That same year he won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award averaging 32.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 5.5 assists.

• 4. Championships And The Crippling Tear

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  On the 4th of July 2016, Durant announced his intention to sign with the Golden State Warriors in The Players' Tribune. He officially signed on July 7 on a two-year $54.3 million contract. The move was received negatively by fans and pundits who felt he took the easy route. On the 25th of October 2016, he made his debut scoring 27 points against San Antonio Spurs. In March 2017, he suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain missing 19 games. The Warriors finished 67, 15 entering playoffs as the first seed. Durant returned to help them advance to their third consecutive Finals. In Game 1 of the series he had 38 points eight rebounds and eight assists leading past LeBron James and Cleveland Cavaliers. He scored 39 points in Game 5 to clinch the championship. For the Finals he averaged 35.2 points shooting 55.5 percent from the field. He became the first player to win back-to-back Finals MVP Awards. On the 12th of November 2018, Draymond Green cursed at him over free agency status resulting in a suspension. During Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals against Houston Rockets, he suffered a right calf strain. He returned for Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals against Toronto scoring 11 points in the first quarter. Two minutes into the second quarter he tried to drive by Serge Ibaka suffering an Achilles tendon injury falling and grabbing his lower right calf. He limped off the court helped to the locker room. The Warriors lost Game 6 ending their three-peat quest.

• 5. Brooklyn And The Phoenix Return

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  On the 30th of June 2019, Durant announced plans to sign with Brooklyn Nets after July moratorium ended on July 6. Golden State CEO Joe Lacob announced his No. 35 would no longer be issued. He signed with Brooklyn on July 7 on a four-year $164.3 million contract. He did not appear in the 2019, 20 season deciding to sit out entirely due to his June 2019 injury. On the 17th of March 2020, he tested positive for COVID-19 but was cleared April 1. He made his debut the 22nd of December 2020, scoring 22 points against Golden State. James Harden joined him the 14th of January 2021 reuniting them as former Thunder teammates. In February 2021, he suffered a hamstring injury missing 23 games. On the 8th of August 2021, he signed a four-year $198 million extension. On the 22nd of October 2021, he recorded his thirteenth career triple-double. On the 10th of November 2021, he scored 30 points on 11-for-12 shooting. On December 12, he hit a then season-high 51 points. On the 3rd of March 2022, he became the 23rd player to reach 25,000 career points. On March 13, he set a career-high 53 points and 37 field goal attempts. On April 2, he scored a career-high 55 points making eight-of-ten three-pointers. On the 30th of June 2022, it was reported he requested a trade preferring Phoenix Suns or Miami Heat. He rescinded the request August 24 after meeting with management. On the 9th of February 2023, the Nets traded him along with T.J. Warren to Phoenix for Mikal Bridges Cameron Johnson Jae Crowder and multiple picks.

• 6. Four Gold Medals And A Record

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  In February 2007, Durant received an invitation to USA national team training camp but was cut when roster trimmed to twelve players. Coach Mike Krzyzewski cited experience of remaining players as deciding factor. He was finally selected at the 2010 FIBA World Championship becoming their leader. At the tournament he led Team USA to its first FIBA World Championship since 1994 earning tournament MVP honors. His final averages were 22.8 points 6.1 rebounds 1.8 assists and 1.4 steals per game in nine games. In December 2010, he was named USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year. At the 2012 Olympics he set record for total points scored in Olympic basketball tournament averaging 19.5 points helping team go undefeated en route to gold medal. In final game he led all scorers with 30 points. Less than a month before 2014 FIBA World Cup he announced dropping out citing mental and physical exhaustion. He rejoined on 2016 Olympic team leading them to gold medal averaging 19.4 points in eight games. He entered 2020 Olympics ranked second in U.S. men's history with 311 career points needing 25 to match Anthony's record. On July 31 against Czech Republic he broke Anthony's record. He led unheralded squad to gold medal with FIBA naming him tournament MVP. His 20.7 points per game set single-competition record. In 2024 aged 35 he made fourth Olympic appearance missing exhibition due to calf injury. On August 4 he became U.S.'s all-time rebounding leader at Olympics surpassing Carmelo Anthony. On August 7 he became U.S.'s all-time scoring leader surpassing Lisa Leslie in quarterfinal win against Brazil. Team USA won gold in rematch against France making Durant first four-time gold medalist in men's basketball.

• 7. Off Court Ventures And Philanthropy

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  Durant is very close with his mother Wanda whose relationship was detailed in Lifetime movie The Real MVP: The Wanda Durant Story. During Thunder tenure he described himself as high school kid enjoying video games. He is a Christian attending Baptist schools with religious tattoos on stomach wrist and back. He owns properties in Oklahoma City area listing primary residence for sale $1.95 million in 2013. That same year he opened KD's Southern Cuisine restaurant in Bricktown neighborhood. In 2016, he was credentialed photographer for Players' Tribune at Super Bowl 50. He left agent Rob Pelinka 2013 signing with Roc Nation group headed by Jay-Z. Endorsement deals include Nike Sprint Gatorade Panini General Electric and 2K Sports. In 2012 he appeared in children's film Thunderstruck. In 2013, he earned $35 million making him fourth-highest-earning player that year. In 2014, he partnered with KIND snacks launching StrongAndKind.com showing kindness not weakness. In 2013, he pledged $1 million to American Red Cross for Moore tornado victims inspiring Thunder and Nike to match donation. Seat Pleasant announced Kevin Durant Day the 17th of August 2017 honoring contributions. In February 2018, Deadline reported partnership with Brian Grazer's Imagine Television creating basketball drama for Apple. In 2017, he founded Thirty Five Ventures with Rich Kleiman. In 2020, they produced Basketball County documentary about youth basketball in Prince George's County. Their work Two Distant Strangers won 2021 Academy Award for Short Film Live Action. On the 15th of June 2020, he became minority owner of Philadelphia Union acquiring 5% stake. In August 2021, Boardroom partnered with Weedmaps normalizing cannabis conversations globally.