Kevin Durant
Kevin Wayne Durant (born September 29, 1988) is an American professional basketball player for the Oklahoma City Thunder of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He has played the small forward position for the Thunder, formerly the Seattle SuperSonics. Durant has won an NBA Most Valuable Player Award, four NBA scoring titles, the NBA Rookie of the Year Award, and an Olympic gold medal. He has also been selected to five All-NBA teams and seven All-Star teams.
Durant was a heavily recruited high school prospect. He attended the University of Texas for one season of college basketball, where he won numerous year-end awards and became the first ever freshman to be named Naismith College Player of the Year. In the 2007 NBA draft, he was selected second overall by the Seattle SuperSonics. After his rookie season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City and became the Thunder. Durant helped lead Oklahoma City to the 2012 NBA Finals, losing to the Miami Heat in five games.
Off the court, Durant is known for his kind demeanor toward fans and active philanthropy in the Oklahoma City area. In 2012, he tried his hand at acting, starring in his first feature film, Thunderstruck.
Early life
Durant was born on September 29, 1988 in Washington, D.C. to Wanda (née Durant) and Wayne Pratt. When Durant was an infant, his father deserted the family; Wanda and Wayne eventually divorced, and Durant's grandmother Barbara Davis helped raise him. By the time Durant was in high school, his father re-entered his life and traveled the country with him to basketball tournaments.[1][2] Durant has one sister, Brianna, and two brothers, Tony and Rayvonne.[3] Growing up, Durant wanted to play for his favorite team, the Toronto Raptors,[4] which included his favorite player, Vince Carter.[4] A basketball player from his earliest days, Durant played Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball for several teams in the Maryland area, and was teammates with future NBA players Michael Beasley, Greivis Vasquez, and Ty Lawson, the former of whom Durant remains friends with to this day.[5][6] During this time, Durant began wearing #35 as his jersey number in honor of his AAU coach Charles Craig, who was murdered at the age of 35.[7]
After playing two years of high school basketball at National Christian Academy and one year at Oak Hill Academy, Durant transferred to Montrose Christian School for his senior year, growing five inches before the start of the season and beginning the year with a height of six feet, seven inches.[8] Prior to the start of the season, he committed to the University of Texas.[9] At the conclusion of the year, he was named the Washington Post All Met Basketball Player of the Year, as well as the Most Valuable Player of the 2006 McDonald's All American Game.[10][11] He was widely regarded as the second-best high school prospect of 2006.[12][13]
College career
For the 2006–07 college season, Durant averaged 25.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game and led all freshman in scoring.[14] The Longhorns finished the year with a 25–10 record overall and a 12–4 record in conference.[15] Awarded a fourth seed in the NCAA Tournament, Texas won their first round match-up against New Mexico State but were upset in the second round by USC despite a 30 point and 9 rebound performance from Durant.[16] Durant earned a number of season-end awards and honors,[17][18][19][20] including being named the Naismith College Player of the Year, becoming the first ever freshman to win the award.[21] On April 11, he officially declared for the 2007 NBA draft.[22] His jersey was later retired by the Longhorns.[23]
College career statistics
- Cited from ESPN.[24]
College | Year | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Texas | 2006–07 | 35 | 35 | 35.9 | .473 | .404 | .816 | 11.1 | 1.3 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 25.8 |
Professional career
Seattle SuperSonics (2007–2008)
Durant was selected with the second overall pick in the 2007 NBA draft by the Seattle SuperSonics.[25] In his first career game, he registered 18 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals against the Denver Nuggets.[26] On November 16, he made the first game-winning shot of his career in a game against the Atlanta Hawks.[27] At the conclusion of the season, he was named the NBA Rookie of the Year behind averages of 20.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game.[14] He joined Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James as the only teenagers in league history to average at least 20 points per game over an entire season.[28]
Oklahoma City Thunder (2008–present)
Breakthrough (2008–10)
Following Durant's debut season, the SuperSonics relocated from Seattle to Oklahoma City, becoming the Thunder and switching to new colors blue, orange, and yellow.[29] The team also drafted UCLA guard Russell Westbrook, who would form an All-Star combination with Durant in later years.[30] At the 2009 NBA All-Star Weekend, Durant set a Rookie Challenge record with 46 points.[31] By the conclusion of the year, he had raised his scoring average by five points from the prior season to 25.3 points per game,[14] and was considered a strong candidate for the Most Improved Player Award, eventually finishing third in the voting.[32]
During the 2009–10 season, Durant was selected to his first NBA All-Star Game.[14] Behind his play, the Thunder improved their record by 27 wins from the previous year and defied expectations to make the playoffs.[33][34] With a scoring average of 30.1 points per game, he became the youngest-ever NBA scoring champion and was selected to his first All-NBA team.[14][35] In his playoff debut, he scored 24 points in a Game 1 loss against the Los Angeles Lakers.[36] Oklahoma City would go on to lose the series in six games,[37] but the team's performance led sports analysts to label them as an upcoming title contender.[38]
Deep playoff runs (2010–13)
Prior to the start of the 2010–11 season, Durant announced via Twitter that he had signed a five-year contract extension with the Thunder worth approximately $86 million.[39][40] For the second consecutive year, he led the NBA in scoring, averaging 27.7 points a game.[41] Behind his leadership, the Thunder won 55 games and earned the fourth seed in the Western Conference.[42] In the playoffs, Oklahoma City defeated the Denver Nuggets and Memphis Grizzlies en route to a Conference Finals match-up versus the Dallas Mavericks, losing in five games.[43]
On February 19 of the lockout-shortened 2011–12 season, Durant recorded his first career 50 point game, scoring 51 points against the Denver Nuggets.[44][45] At the All-Star Game, he scored 36 points and was awarded his first NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award.[46] He finished the year with a scoring average of 28 points per game, representing his third straight scoring title.[47] Behind his play, the Thunder won 47 games and entered the playoffs as the Western Conference's second seed.[48] In Game 1 of the first round against the Mavericks, Durant hit a game-winner with 1.5 seconds remaining.[49] Oklahoma City would go on to defeat Dallas, the Lakers, and the San Antonio Spurs before losing to the Miami Heat in the Finals.[50] For the series, Durant led all players with 30.6 points per game, doing so on a 54.8 shooting rate.[51]
With a scoring average of 28.1 points per game to finish the 2012–13 season, Durant failed to defend his scoring title; however, with a 51 percent shooting rate, a 41.6 percent three point shooting rate, and a 90.5 free throw shooting rate, he became the youngest player in NBA history to join the 50–40–90 club.[14][52] Finishing the year with a 60–22 record, Oklahoma City earned the first seed in the Western Conference.[53] In the first round of the playoffs against the Houston Rockets, Russell Westbrook tore his meniscus, forcing him to miss the remainder of the postseason.[54][55] Without Westbrook, Durant was given more responsibility,[56] averaging a career-high 30.8 points per game throughout the playoffs,[14] but Oklahoma City were eventually eliminated in the second round by the Memphis Grizzlies.[54]
MVP season (2013–14)
In January of the 2013–14 season, Durant averaged 35.9 points per game while scoring 30 or more points in 12 straight games, including a career-high 54 points against the Golden State Warriors.[57][58] The Thunder finished the season with 59 wins and Durant was voted the NBA Most Valuable Player behind averages of 32 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game.[59] In the first round of the playoffs, he had a series of inconsistent performances against the Grizzlies and the Thunder fell behind 3–2, prompting The Oklahoman to dub him "Mr. Unreliable".[60] He responded by scoring 36 points in a Game 6 victory.[61] Oklahoma City eventually eliminated Memphis and the Los Angeles Clippers before losing to the eventual champion Spurs in the Conference Finals.[62]
Injury-riddled season (2014–15)
On October 12, 2014, Durant was diagnosed with a Jones fracture in his right foot and was ruled out for six to eight weeks.[63] He subsequently missed the first 17 games of the 2014–15 season, making his season debut for the Thunder on December 2 against the New Orleans Pelicans.[64] On December 18, he injured his ankle against the Golden State Warriors,[65] returning to action on December 31 against the Phoenix Suns to score a season-high 44 points.[66] He then sprained his left big toe in late January.[67] On February 22, he was sidelined again after undergoing a minor procedure to help reduce pain and discomfort in his surgically repaired right foot,[68] and on March 27, he was officially ruled out for the rest of the season after deciding to undergo foot surgery.[69] In just 27 games, he averaged 25.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game.[14]
2015–16 season
On October 30, 2015, in a double-overtime win over the Orlando Magic, Durant and Russell Westbrook became the first pair of teammates to each score at least 40 points in a single game since Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen accomplished the feat in 1996. Durant had 43 and Westbrook had 48 as the Thunder defeated the Magic 139–136.[70] Durant missed six games between November 13 and November 22 with a hamstring injury, returning to action November 23 to score 27 points against the Utah Jazz.[71] On December 10, he recorded his seventh career triple-double with 25 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists in a 107–94 win over the Atlanta Hawks.[72] On December 27, Durant recorded 26 points and 10 assists in a 122–112 win over the Denver Nuggets. In that game, Durant and Westbrook became the first teammates to each have at least 25 points and 10 assists in a regulation game since Utah's John Stockton (31 points, 11 assists) and Karl Malone (27 points, 10 assists) on February 2, 1996.[73] On January 4, he was named NBA Western Conference co-Player of the Month for December alongside Westbrook.[74] On January 26, he scored a season-high 44 points in a 128–122 overtime win over the New York Knicks.[75] On February 2, he was named NBA Western Conference Player of the Month for January.[76] On March 22, in a win over the Houston Rockets, Durant tied a career high by scoring at least 20 points for the 56th consecutive game.[77] He passed that mark two days later with 20 points against the Utah Jazz.[78] On April 9, he scored 31 points against the Sacramento Kings, recording a mark of at least 20 points in 63 straight games, tying Kobe Bryant (2005–07) for the longest such streak.[79] Two days later, he scored 34 points against the Los Angeles Lakers, setting the record at 64 straight games with at least 20 points.[80]
The Thunder finished the regular season as the third seed in the Western Conference with a 55–27 record. In the first round of the playoffs, the Thunder faced the sixth-seeded Dallas Mavericks, and in a Game 2 loss on April 18, Durant scored 21 points but made just 7-of-33 shots in the worst postseason shooting performance, both by percentage and number of misses, of his career. Durant's 26 misses were the most in his 716-game career, including the regular-season and playoffs.[81]
National team career
In February 2007, Durant received an invitation to the United States national team training camp.[82][83] Despite a strong performance, he was cut from Team USA when the roster was trimmed to its twelve-player limit.[84] Coach Mike Krzyzewski cited the experience of the remaining players as the deciding factor in making the cut.[84] Durant was finally selected to the national team at the 2010 FIBA World Championship and became their leader as other All-Stars were unavailable, a role he downplayed.[85] At the tournament, he led Team USA to its first FIBA World Championship since 1994, earning MVP honors in the process.[86] His final averages for the competition were 22.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.4 steals per game over nine games.[87]
At the 2012 Olympics, Durant set the record for total points scored in an Olympic basketball tournament.[88] With averages of 19.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.6 steals per game, he helped the national team go undefeated en route to a gold medal.[87] In the tournament's final game, he led all scorers with 30 points.[89]
Player profile
Standing at six feet, nine inches tall and weighing 240 pounds, Durant plays mostly at the small forward position.[14] His career averages are 27.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game.[14] He has earned All-NBA honors every season since 2010 and was voted Rookie of the Year in his debut season.[14] He has won an MVP Award and finished second in the voting three times,[90][91][92] a trend he has expressed frustration over.[93]
Described as a "scoring prodigy" by John Hollinger,[94] Durant regularly finishes as one of the NBA's points leaders and has won the scoring title four times.[14] A strong outside shooter, he is one of only seven members of the 50–40–90 club, and his 2013 campaign was called "one of the greatest shooting seasons in league history" by Grantland's Zach Lowe.[95] One of the biggest reason's for Durant's shooting prowess is his seven-foot, four inch wingspan, which helps him get his shot off cleanly over most defenders.[96][97] He is also a strong finisher at the rim, converting on 72.2 percent of shots in the paint in 2012.[94] Early in his career, he was criticized for his slim build, defense, and passing.[98] Over time, he grew as a playmaker, increasing his assist numbers every year from 2010 to 2014.[96] He also showed defensive improvement, with opponents averaging just .62 points per isolation play against him in 2014, the best success rate for defensive players who faced at least 100 isolations that season.[99]
Off the court
Durant owns several properties in Oklahoma City, and in 2013 put his primary residence in the affluent Club Villa neighborhood up for sale for $1.95 million.[100] That same year, he opened a restaurant, KD's Southern Cuisine, in the Bricktown neighborhood of Oklahoma City.[101] He was engaged to Monica Wright, a WNBA player.[102] In his spare time, he describes himself as a "high school kid" and enjoys playing video games.[103] He is a Christian and goes to chapel before every game;[104] he has religious tattoos on his stomach,[105] wrist,[104] and back.[106]
Durant was formerly represented by agents Aaron Goodwin and Rob Pelinka.[107][108] He left Pelinka in 2013, and signed with the Roc Nation group, headed by Jay-Z.[108][109] Durant has endorsement deals with Nike, Sprint, Gatorade, Panini, General Electric, and 2K Sports.[110] In 2013, he earned $35 million, making him the fourth-highest-earning basketball player that year.[111] In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Durant claimed that despite his high earnings potential, "global marketing and all that stuff" does not interest him.[110] In 2012, he tried his hand at acting, appearing in the children's film Thunderstruck.[112]
Throughout his career, Durant has participated in philanthropic causes. In 2013, he pledged $1 million to the American Red Cross for the victims of the 2013 Moore tornado.[113] His generosity inspired the Thunder and Nike to match his donation.[114] He is also a spokesperson for the Washington, D.C. branch of P'Tones Records, a nationwide non-profit after-school music program.[115]
Durant is a well liked player, and in 2012, a poll revealed he was viewed more favorably by fans than Kobe Bryant and LeBron James.[110] In 2013, Foot Locker released a series of commercials calling Durant the "nicest guy in the NBA".[116] In Oklahoma City, he has become a beloved figure, known for his "nice escapades" toward the Thunder's staff.[117] In 2014, Durant partnered with KIND snacks and launched StrongAndKind.com to show "being kind is not a sign of weakness."[118] One of the most popular players in the league, his jersey regularly ranks as one of the NBA's best-selling and he is consistently one of the top All-Star vote-getters.[119][120]
For the NFL's Super Bowl 50 at Levi's Stadium between the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos on February 7, 2016, Durant was one of the credentialed photographers for the game as he is Deputy Publisher of The Players' Tribune.[121][122]
NBA career statistics
GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
Led the league |
Regular season
Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2007–08 | Seattle | 80 | 80 | 34.6 | .430 | .288 | .873 | 4.4 | 2.4 | 1.0 | .9 | 20.3 |
2008–09 | Oklahoma City | 74 | 74 | 39.0 | .476 | .422 | .863 | 6.5 | 2.8 | 1.3 | .7 | 25.3 |
2009–10 | Oklahoma City | 82 | 82 | 39.5 | .476 | .365 | .900 | 7.6 | 2.8 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 30.1 |
2010–11 | Oklahoma City | 78 | 78 | 38.9 | .462 | .350 | .880 | 6.8 | 2.7 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 27.7 |
2011–12 | Oklahoma City | 66 | 66 | 38.6 | .496 | .387 | .860 | 8.0 | 3.5 | 1.3 | 1.2 | 28.0 |
2012–13 | Oklahoma City | 81 | 81 | 38.5 | .510 | .416 | .905 | 7.9 | 4.6 | 1.4 | 1.3 | 28.1 |
2013–14 | Oklahoma City | 81 | 81 | 38.5 | .503 | .391 | .873 | 7.4 | 5.5 | 1.3 | .7 | 32.0 |
2014–15 | Oklahoma City | 27 | 27 | 33.8 | .510 | .403 | .854 | 6.6 | 4.1 | .9 | .9 | 25.4 |
2015–16 | Oklahoma City | 72 | 72 | 35.8 | .505 | .388 | .898 | 8.2 | 5.0 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 28.2 |
Career | 641 | 641 | 37.8 | .483 | .380 | .882 | 7.0 | 3.7 | 1.2 | 1.0 | 27.4 | |
All-Star | 7 | 5 | 26.7 | .518 | .311 | .900 | 5.6 | 2.9 | 1.6 | .3 | 25.6 |
Playoffs
Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2010 | Oklahoma City | 6 | 6 | 38.5 | .350 | .286 | .871 | 7.7 | 2.3 | .5 | 1.3 | 25.0 |
2011 | Oklahoma City | 17 | 17 | 42.5 | .449 | .339 | .838 | 8.2 | 2.8 | .9 | 1.1 | 28.6 |
2012 | Oklahoma City | 20 | 20 | 41.9 | .517 | .373 | .864 | 7.4 | 3.7 | 1.5 | 1.2 | 28.5 |
2013 | Oklahoma City | 11 | 11 | 44.1 | .455 | .314 | .830 | 9.0 | 6.3 | 1.3 | 1.1 | 30.8 |
2014 | Oklahoma City | 19 | 19 | 42.9 | .460 | .344 | .810 | 8.9 | 3.9 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 29.6 |
Career | 73 | 73 | 42.3 | .462 | .341 | .839 | 8.2 | 3.8 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 28.9 |
Awards and honors
NBA
- Cited from Basketball Reference's Kevin Durant page unless noted otherwise.[14]
- NBA Most Valuable Player: 2014
- 7x NBA All-Star: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
- 5x All-NBA First Team: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
- 4x NBA scoring champion: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014
- NBA All-Star Game MVP: 2012
- NBA Rookie of the Year: 2008
- All-Rookie First Team: 2008
- NBA Rookie Challenge MVP: 2009
United States National Team
- Cited from USA Basketball's Kevin Durant page unless noted otherwise.[87]
- Olympic gold medalist: 2012
- FIBA World Championship gold medalist: 2010
- FIBA World Championship Most Valuable Player: 2010
College
- Naismith College Player of the Year: 2007[123]
- NABC Division I Player of the Year: 2007[17]
- AP Player of the Year: 2007[124]
- AP All-America 1st Team: 2007[125]
- Oscar Robertson Trophy: 2007[18]
- Adolph Rupp Trophy: 2007[19]
- John R. Wooden Award: 2007[126]
- Big 12 Player of the Year: (2007)
- USBWA National Freshman of the Year: (2007)
See also
References
- ^ Breen, Matt (2012). "2012 Olympics: Kevin Durant's father cheers from afar after bumpy journey back into his son's life". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
- ^ Wharton, David (2007). "Sweet Youth". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
- ^ Kevin Durant USA Basketball. Retrieved March 15, 2008.
- ^ a b I wanted to play for the Raptors. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
- ^ "Kevin Durant Biography". JockBio. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
- ^ Childhood friends Michael Beasley and Kevin Durant could become Sonics teammates. Retrieved May 19, 2008.
- ^ "UT's Durant: righteous talent SPORTSDAY" (PDF). TexasSports.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 26, 2007. Retrieved July 25, 2007.
- ^ Picker, David. "In the N.B.A.'s Age Game, Colleges Are Big Winners", The New York Times, April 22, 2006. Accessed December 1, 2007. "Durant, a forward at Montrose Christian School in Rockville, Md., has heard the endless chatter about where he would have been selected in the N.B.A. draft in June. A first-rounder? No doubt. A lottery pick? Probably so."
- ^ Doyel, Gregg. "Durant commitment national coup for 'Horns, Barnes". CBS Sports. Retrieved June 2, 2013.
- ^ "2006 McDonald's All-American Game Rosters". Scout.com. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
- ^ "McDonald's Greatest All-Americans". ESPN. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
- ^ "Basketball Recruiting: Top Recruits". ScoutHoops.com. Retrieved March 7, 2007.
- ^ "Prospect Ranking: Final Rivals150 Class of 8181". Rivals.com. May 2, 2006. Retrieved March 7, 2007.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Kevin Durant NBA & ABA Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
- ^ "NCAA Division I Basketball Standings – 2006–07". ESPN. Retrieved June 2, 2013.
- ^ "Young pours in 22 points for USC in blowout of Texas". ESPN. Retrieved July 27, 2013.
- ^ a b "Longhorns' Freshman Durant Named NABC Division I Player of the Year" (PDF) (Press release). National Association of Basketball Coaches. March 21, 2007. Retrieved March 22, 2007.
- ^ a b "USBWA names Durant, Bennett as player, coach of the year" (Press release). United States Basketball Writers Association. March 27, 2007. Retrieved March 27, 2007.
- ^ a b "Durant Named Player Of The Year" (Press release). Commonwealth Athletic Club of Kentucky. March 27, 2007. Retrieved March 28, 2007.
- ^ Rosner, Mark (April 7, 2007). "Durant receives Wooden Award". Bevo Beat. Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved April 7, 2007.
- ^ "Kevin Durant Wins 2007 Naismith Award". Big 12 Sports. Retrieved June 2, 2013.
- ^ "Durant leaving Texas for NBA". ESPN. Retrieved June 2, 2013.
- ^ Rosner, Mark (July 3, 2007). "Durant's jersey to be retired". Austin American Statesman. Retrieved July 3, 2007.
- ^ "Kevin Durant Stats". ESPN. Retrieved November 3, 2013.
- ^ "2007 NBA Draft Board". NBA.com. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
- ^ Pepsi Center, Denver, CO (October 31, 2007). "October 31, 2007 boxscore: SuperSonics 103, Nuggets 120". ESPN. Retrieved June 16, 2011.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA (November 16, 2007). "Wilkins scores 41, but Durant's 3-pointer clinches Sonics' double-OT win". ESPN. Retrieved June 16, 2011.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Kevin Durant NBA Bio". NBA.com. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
- ^ "Oklahoma City will be named Thunder, wear blue, orange, yellow". ESPN. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
- ^ "Russell Westbrook NBA Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
- ^ "Durant goes for 46 as Sophomores again beat Rookies". ESPN. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
- ^ "Pacers' Granger wins Kia Most Improved Player Award". NBA.com. Retrieved March 2, 2014.
- ^ "Gasol lifts Lakers past Thunder and into the second round". ESPN. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
- ^ "Expert predictions: OKC Thunder". ESPN. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
- ^ Latzke, Jeff. "Durant becomes NBA's youngest scoring champ". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
- ^ "Gasol, Bynum dominate inside as Lakers hold off Thunder in Game 1". ESPN. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
- ^ "2010 NBA Playoffs Summary". Basketball Reference. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
- ^ Adande, J.A. "Thunder could turn to reign". ESPN. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
- ^ Durant's Twitter Contract Extension Announcement[dead link ]
- ^ "Durant, Thunder agree on extension". ESPN. July 7, 2010. Retrieved June 16, 2011.
- ^ "2010–11 Scoring leaders: Points per game". National Basketball Association. Retrieved March 14, 2012.
- ^ "NBA Standings – 2010–11". ESPN. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
- ^ "2011 NBA Playoffs Summary". Basketball Reference. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
- ^ Rohde, John. "Oklahoma City Thunder: Performance against Mavericks only Kevin Durant's second 50-plus point game". NewsOK. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
- ^ Latzke, Jeff (February 19, 2012). "Kevin Durant Scores 51 Points: Thunder Top Nuggets, 124–118 (VIDEO)". Huffington Post Sports. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
- ^ Associated Press (February 27, 2012). Kevin Durant wins All-Star Game MVP. ESPN.com. Retrieved February 27, 2012
- ^ "Kevin Durant wins third straight NBA scoring title as Kobe Bryant concedes". www.cbssports.com. Retrieved April 27, 2012.
- ^ "NBA Standings – 2011–12". ESPN. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
- ^ "nba.com". nba.com. Retrieved April 27, 2012.
- ^ "2012 NBA Playoffs Summary". Basketball Reference. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
- ^ "2012 NBA Finals Composite Box Score". Basketball Reference. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
- ^ Eberts, Wescott. "Kevin Durant joins the exclusive 50–40–90 club". Burnt Orange Nation. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
- ^ "2012–2013 CONFERENCE REGULAR SEASON STANDINGS". NBA.com. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
- ^ a b "2013 NBA Playoffs Summary". Basketball Reference. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
- ^ "Russell Westbrook to miss playoffs". ESPN. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
- ^ Lowe, Zach. "Thunder Struck: Russell Westbrook's Injury and What It Means for Oklahoma City". Grantland. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
- ^ "Kevin Durant's 30-point streak ends at 12 in Thunder's rout of Nets". ESPN. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
- ^ "Notebook: Thunder 127, Warriors 121". NBA.com. January 17, 2014. Retrieved January 18, 2014.
- ^ Stein, Marc (May 6, 2014). "Kevin Durant wins first MVP award". espn.go.com.
{{cite news}}
:|archive-date=
requires|archive-url=
(help) - ^ Lee, Michael. "Kevin Durant remains hungry for NBA title in wake of latest loss, says Thunder's window still open". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
- ^ "Kevin Durant's 36 points, 10 boards help Thunder take Griz to Game 7". ESPN. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
- ^ "Spurs beat Thunder in OT, advance to NBA Finals vs. Heat". CBS Sports. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
- ^ Brunt, Cliff (October 12, 2014). "Thunder's Durant to miss 6-8 weeks with foot fracture". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Associated Press. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
- ^ Martel, Brett (December 2, 2014). "Durant returns, but Pelicans down Thunder 112-104". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
- ^ Young, Royce (December 19, 2014). "Kevin Durant (ankle) day to day". ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
- ^ Sellars, Tony (December 31, 2014). "Durant, Thunder beat Suns in OT". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
- ^ Evans, Murray (February 6, 2015). "Davis has 41, hits 3 at buzzer to lift Pelicans over Thunder". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
- ^ "Kevin Durant Injury Update". NBA.com. February 22, 2015. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
- ^ "Kevin Durant Injury Update". NBA.com. March 27, 2015. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
- ^ Ogden, Rob (October 30, 2015). "Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant are first duo to each score 40 since Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen". SunTimes.com. Retrieved October 30, 2015.
- ^ Durant, Thunder rout Jazz 111-89
- ^ Durant's triple-double leads Thunder past Hawks, 107-94
- ^ Westbrook rallies Thunder past Nuggets, 122-112
- ^ Westbrook, Durant join Wall as Kia Players of the Month
- ^ Durant scores season-high 44, Thunder beat Knicks in OT
- ^ DeRozan, Lowry, Durant named Kia Players of Month
- ^ Westbrook's triple-double leads Thunder past Rockets 111-107
- ^ Durant's 20 points lead Thunder past Jazz 113-91
- ^ Gay's free throws lift Kings over Thunder in arena finale
- ^ Durant leads Thunder past Lakers in Bryant's last road game
- ^ "Dallas beats Oklahoma City 85-84, ties series 1-1". NBA.com. April 18, 2016. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
- ^ Tomasson, Chris (February 17, 2007). "Dantley given Hall of Fame support". Rocky Mountain News. Archived from the original on February 19, 2007. Retrieved March 7, 2007.
Colangelo said he plans to invite University of Texas player Kevin Durant to Team USA training camp this summer.
- ^ McMenamin, Dave (July 25, 2007). "Team USA: Durant Better Than Advertised". NBA.com. Archived from the original on August 1, 2007. Retrieved July 31, 2007.
{{cite news}}
:|archive-date=
/|archive-url=
timestamp mismatch; August 8, 2007 suggested (help) - ^ a b Mahoney, Brian (August 26, 2007). "Durant, Collison dropped from U.S. team". USA Today. Retrieved August 29, 2007.
- ^ Sheridan, Chris (August 2, 2010). "Kevin Durant: The Reluctant Face of Team USA". ESPN. Retrieved December 12, 2010.
- ^ "USA – Durant Named Tournament MVP" (Press release). FIBA. September 12, 2010. Retrieved September 12, 2010.
- ^ a b c "Kevin Durant". USA Basketball. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
- ^ "Updates from the London 2012 closing ceremonies –". Usatoday.com. December 8, 2012. Retrieved July 4, 2013.
- ^ Stein, Marc. "Instant Analysis: Team USA 107, Spain 100". ESPN. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
- ^ "LeBron James named 2009–10 NBA MVP presented by Kia". NBA.com. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
- ^ Reynolds, Tim. "LeBron James wins 3rd NBA MVP award". Yahoo! News. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
- ^ "James wins 4th Kia MVP award in near unanimous vote". NBA.com. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
- ^ Golliver, Ben. "Kevin Durant sick of second, working for first with help of advanced stats". The Point Forward. Retrieved November 3, 2013.
- ^ a b Hollinger, John. "OKC Thunder: 2012–13 roster". ESPN Insider. Retrieved November 3, 2013.
- ^ Lowe, Zach. "The Not Quite Midseason Awards". Grantland. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
- ^ a b Pelton, Kevin. "Okla. City Thunder: 2013–14 roster". ESPN Insider. Retrieved November 3, 2013.
- ^ "Kevin Durant Draft Express Profile". Draft Express Profile. Retrieved November 3, 2013.
- ^ Young, Royce. "John Hollinger on Kevin Durant (and others)". Daily Thunder. Retrieved November 3, 2013.
- ^ Pelton, Kevin. "Roy Hibbert for Defensive POY". ESPN Insider. Retrieved April 12, 2014.
- ^ Freeman, Eric. "Kevin Durant is selling his house in Oklahoma City for a mere $1.95 million". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved March 2, 2014.
- ^ Kenny, Michael (December 15, 2013). "Kevin Durant's new restaurant is changing the game". The Norman Transcript.
- ^ "Kevin Durant, Monica Wright engaged". ESPN. July 8, 2013. Retrieved September 20, 2013.
- ^ Young, Royce. "Kevin Durant on his hobbies, Twitter and who could beat him 1-on-1". Daily Thunder. Retrieved June 2, 2013.
- ^ a b "Kevin Durant".
- ^ "Kevin Durant Is Not Ashamed Of His "Business" Tats".
- ^ "Durant's ink shows who's got his back".
- ^ Kevin Durant splits from longtime agent. Retrieved February 19, 2012.
- ^ a b Amick, Sam (June 7, 2013). "Kevin Durant leaves agent, may work with Jay-Z". USA Today. Retrieved June 8, 2013.
- ^ Darren Rovell (June 24, 2013). "Jay-Z's agency lands Kevin Durant". ESPN. Retrieved June 25, 2013.
- ^ a b c Badenhausen, Kurt. "Kevin Durant Is On The Verge Of Global Stardom". Forbes. Retrieved June 2, 2013.
- ^ Golliver, Ben. "LeBron James passes Kobe Bryant on SI's 'Fortunate 50′ highest-earning athletes list". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved June 2, 2013.
- ^ "Thunderstruck: Why was the Thunder's Kevin Durant chosen for a movie?". NewsOK. Retrieved June 2, 2013.
- ^ Xchange, Sports (May 21, 2013). "Durant donates $1 million to tornado victims". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
- ^ Devine, Dan. "Kevin Durant taps Nike to donate $1M in products, sneaker profits to Oklahoma tornado relief". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved June 2, 2013.
- ^ "Kevin Durant and P'Tones Records Apply for the Pepsi Refresh Grant". Kevindurant35.com. Retrieved June 16, 2011.
- ^ Astramskas, David. "Commercial: Kevin Durant is the "nicest guy in the NBA" & wanted for dunking". Ball Is Life. Retrieved June 2, 2013.
- ^ Young, Royce. "Kevin Durant is, in fact, very nice". CBS Sports. Retrieved March 2, 2014.
- ^ Broussard, Chris. "Strong and Kind movement". ESPN. Retrieved March 2, 2014.
- ^ "The NBA's Top-Selling Jerseys". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
- ^ "Curry starts in first All-Star Game; LeBron top vote-getter". NBA.com. Retrieved March 2, 2014.
- ^ Kevin Durant works as credentialed photographer at Super Bowl 50
- ^ My View From Super Bowl 50
- ^ Brown, Chip (March 22, 2007). "Durant named NABC player of the year". Dallas Morning News. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved March 22, 2007.
- ^ "Durant is first freshman named AP player of year". ESPN. Associated Press. March 31, 2007. Retrieved February 25, 2012.
- ^ Brown, Chip (March 27, 2007). "Durant, Law on All-America team". Dallas Morning News. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved March 27, 2007.
- ^ "John R. Wooden Award announces the 2006–07 All-American Team". John R. Wooden Award. March 27, 2007. Retrieved March 28, 2007.
External links
- Career statistics from NBA.com and Basketball Reference
- 1988 births
- Living people
- African-American basketball players
- African-American Christians
- Basketball players at the 2012 Summer Olympics
- Basketball players from Maryland
- Basketball players from Washington, D.C.
- McDonald's High School All-Americans
- Medalists at the 2012 Summer Olympics
- National Basketball Association All-Stars
- Oklahoma City Thunder players
- Olympic gold medalists for the United States in basketball
- Parade High School All-Americans (boys' basketball)
- Sportspeople from Rockville, Maryland
- Seattle SuperSonics draft picks
- Seattle SuperSonics players
- Small forwards
- Texas Longhorns men's basketball players
- United States men's national basketball team players