Kevin Durant

Quick Facts

• Sport: Basketball

• Position: Small forward / power forward

Biographical Information

Kevin Durant is one of the most accomplished basketball players of his generation, known for his scoring ability, versatility, and leadership on and off the court. Durant made history as the first freshman to win the Naismith College Player of the Year award before being selected second overall in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Seattle SuperSonics - now known as Oklahoma City Thunder. His career has been marked by numerous accolades, including multiple NBA championships, MVP awards, and Olympic gold medals.

Durant was raised by his mother, Wanda. He is involved in various philanthropic efforts through the Durant Family Foundation, which focuses on education, social justice, and community development. Off the court, Durant is an entrepreneur and investor, with interests in technology, media, and sports businesses.

Olympic Highlights

Durant has been a force in Team USA’s success in international competitions. Durant is one of the few U.S. male basketball athletes to play in three or more Olympics. He played pivotal roles in leading the U.S. to Olympic gold medals in the London 2012 Olympic Games, Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Known for his clutch performances, Durant's leadership was instrumental in Team USA's success, where he consistently led the team in scoring. 

In his Olympic debut at the London 2012 Games, Durant made history by breaking Team USA's scoring record with 156 total points, surpassing Spencer Haywood's 1968 mark of 145. His sharpshooting was exceptional, setting a new U.S. record with 34 three-pointers while averaging 19.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists across eight games.

At the Rio 2016 Games, Durant continued his Olympic excellence, leading the team through eight games with impressive averages of 19.4 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists. His performance earned him the co-USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year award alongside Carmelo Anthony.

Durant reached new heights at the Tokyo 2020 Games, setting a U.S. Olympic record by averaging 20.7 points per game. Over six games, he maintained strong all-around play with 5.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. His dominant performance led to him being named the 2021 USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year.

In the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Durant played in six games, averaging 13.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game, helping Team USA win gold in the final. With this achievement, Durant became the first and only four-time gold medalist in men's basketball.

NBA Highlights

Durant was drafted second overall by the Seattle SuperSonics in the 2007 NBA Draft. During his first season, he established himself as one of the league's premier scorers and earned Rookie of the Year. After the franchise relocated and rebranded to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Durant continued his scoring prowess, going on to win four scoring titles and an MVP award. 

In 2016, Durant joined the Golden State Warriors, where he won back-to-back NBA championships in 2017 and 2018, earning Finals MVP honors in both years. After a brief stint with the Brooklyn Nets from 2019-2023, Durant was traded to the Phoenix Suns in 2023.

Early Career

Durant attended Montrose Christian School in Rockville, Maryland, for his senior year after initially playing at National Christian Academy and Oak Hill Academy. Durant’s dominant high school career, where he was named a McDonald’s All-American, solidified his status as one of the top recruits in the country. 

Durant attended the University of Texas for the 2006-2007 season. In his freshman year, Durant was a sensation, leading the Longhorns in scoring (25.8 points per game) and rebounding (11.1 rebounds per game). His incredible performance earned him multiple national Player of the Year awards, including the prestigious Naismith and Wooden awards. Durant’s success at Texas made him a top prospect, leading to his early entry into the NBA Draft.

Olympic Experience

• 4-time Olympian; 4-time Olympic medalist (4 gold)
• Olympic Games Paris 2024, gold (Team - Men)
• Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, gold (Team - Men)
• Olympic Games Rio de Janeiro 2016, gold (Team - Men)
• Olympic Games London 2012, gold (Team - Men)

World Championships Experience

• Most recent: 2010 – gold (Team - Men)
• Years of participation: Team - Men 2010
• Medals: 1 (1 gold)
• Gold – 2010 (Team - Men)