Kevin Durant is a professional basketball player in the NBA. He currently plays forward for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Durant was selected as the 2nd pick of the 2007 NBA Draft by then Seattle SuperSonics behind Greg Oden of the Portland Trailblazers and ahead of Al Horford of the Atlanta Hawks.[1]
He had a great rookie season and received NBA Rookie of the Month award five times. This ultimately earned him NBA's Rookie of the Year and was selected to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. His also had a career high 42 points against the Golden State Warriors on April 16, 2007 and career high 51 minuts versus the Denver Nuggets on April 6, 2007.[2]
He wears no 35 as an honor to Charles Craig his AAU coach who passed away when he was 35.[3]
Kevin Durant is currently the scoring leader in the NBA averaging 30 points per game playing 39.5 minutes per game.[4]
Early Life and College
Durant was born in Washington, DC. He went to Montrose Christian high school. He was named First Team All-American by the USA Today during his senior season in 2005-2006.
He spent one year at the University of Texas before opting to enter the NBA Draft [1]. Shortly after being drafted by the Seatlle SuperSonics, the University of Texas retired his number 35 jersey.[2]
During his freshman, he earned many awards including NABC Division I Player of the Year.[3] He is also the first freshman and the first Texas athlete to receive both Oscar Robertson Trophy and the Adolph F. Rupp trophy.[4] [5] and the John Wooden Award joining T.J.Ford in 2003.[6]
Durant is the second freshman to be invitied to the Team USA Basketball training camp with Greg Oden being the first.[7]
During his freshman season, he averaged 25.8 points and 11.1 rebounds per game.[8]
NBA All-Star Game
On February 14, 2009, during the NBA's All-Star weekend, Durant won in the H-O-R-S-E game against O.J. Mayo and Joe Johnson. He was also named the MVP of the Rookie Challenge. Durant scored 46 points to lead all scorers.NBA.com: Durant goes for 46 as Sophomores again beat Rookies (February 14, 2009) He wins the H-O-R-S-E game again in the 2010 NBA All Star.[1] beating Rajon Rondo and Omri Casspi.
2010 NBA Playoffs
On April 18, 2010, Durant made his NBA Playoffs debut against the Los Angeles Lakers scoring 24 points for the Oklahoma City Thunder in a lost.[1]
On April 22, 2010, Durant led the Oklahoma City Thunder to their first playoffs win against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3 of the First Round of the Western Conference. He had 29 points, 19 rebounds and 4 assists. [2]
Awards
- 2006 Co-MVP McDonald's All-American Game
- 2007 ESPN All-American
- 2007 ESPN Player of the Year
- 2007 NABC Division I Player of the Year
- 2007 AP All-America 1st Team
- 2007 Oscar Robertson Trophy
- 2007 Adolph Rupp Trophy
- 2007 Naismith Player of the Year
- 2007 John R. Wooden Award
- 2007 AP National Player of the Year
- 2007 Espy Award College Athlete of the Year
- 2007-08 NBA Rookie of the Year
- 2010 First NBA Playoffs game
Featured Image
Kevin Durant juggling for a position against Paul Pierce of the Boston Celtics on the Oklahoma City Thunder and Boston Celtics game on March, 31, 2010. The Thunder won 109-104 in Boston.
Kevin Durant 2010 China Tour
Kevin Durant 2010 China Tour
Featured Video
Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook teamed up to give the Oklahoma City Thunder their first playoff victory
References
Fast Facts
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Full name
Kevin Wayne Durant
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Born
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Birthplace
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Height
6'9"
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Weight
215 lbs
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Position
Guard/Forward
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Jersey
- 35
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2007 draft
Second overall (Sonics)
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Fact:
2007 Associated Press College Basketball Player of the Year
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Fact:
2007 Big 12 Rookie of the Year
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Fact:
University of Texas retired Durant's #35 jersey.
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Salary
$4,796,880 (2010)
