Kevin Durant is a name that is synonymous with basketball greatness. Born on September 29, 1988, in Washington, D.C., Durant has become one of the most recognizable and respected players in the NBA. He has an impressive list of accolades, including being a 10-time NBA All-Star, two-time NBA champion, and the 2013-14 NBA MVP. In this article, we will take a closer look at the life and career of Kevin Durant.
Early Life and High School Career
Durant was born into a family of athletes. His mother, Wanda, was a college basketball player, and his father, Wayne, played college basketball and football. Durant began playing basketball at a young age and quickly showed his talent on the court. He attended National Christian Academy in Maryland for his freshman year of high school, where he averaged 23 points and 10 rebounds per game.
After his freshman year, Durant transferred to Oak Hill Academy in Virginia, where he continued to dominate on the court. In his senior year, he averaged 35.5 points, 11 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game. He was named the MVP of the McDonald’s All-American Game and was also named to the Parade All-American First Team.
College Career
After graduating from high school, Durant attended the University of Texas, where he played for one season. In his freshman year, he averaged 25.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game. He was named the National Freshman of the Year and was a consensus First-Team All-American. Despite his impressive performance, Texas did not make it past the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
NBA Career
Durant was selected as the second overall pick by the Seattle SuperSonics (now the Oklahoma City Thunder) in the 2007 NBA Draft. In his rookie season, he averaged 20.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game. He was named the NBA Rookie of the Year and was also selected to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.
Over the next several seasons, Durant continued to improve his game. He led the NBA in scoring for three consecutive seasons from 2009-2012 and was named to the All-NBA First Team five times. In 2012, he led the Thunder to the NBA Finals but lost to the Miami Heat in five games.
In 2016, Durant made the controversial decision to leave the Thunder and join the Golden State Warriors. In his first season with the Warriors, he won his first NBA championship and was named the NBA Finals MVP. He won another championship with the Warriors in 2018 before signing with the Brooklyn Nets in 2019.
Off the Court
Off the court, Durant is known for his philanthropy and his love of technology. He has donated millions of dollars to various charities and has also founded the Kevin Durant Charity Foundation, which aims to enrich the lives of at-risk youth from low-income backgrounds. Durant is also an avid investor in technology startups and has invested in companies such as Postmates, Acorns, and Coinbase.
Conclusion
Kevin Durant is a basketball legend who has made a lasting impact on the NBA. His impressive career and off-court achievements have made him one of the most respected and admired athletes of his generation. Whether you are a basketball fan or not, it is impossible not to be inspired by Durant’s determination, hard work, and dedication to making a positive impact in the world.
