You know him as KD – the lanky kid from Seat Pleasant, Maryland, who became one of basketball’s most unstoppable forces. Born on September 29, 1988, Kevin Durant’s journey from Washington D.C. suburbs to NBA stardom is a story of resilience, record-breaking talent, and relentless evolution.
Rise of a Phenom
Durant’s height marked him early – hitting 6’0″ in middle school! He idolized Vince Carter and dreamed of playing for the Toronto Raptors. After dominating AAU basketball alongside friends like Michael Beasley, he honored his murdered coach Charles Craig by wearing #35. His senior year at Montrose Christian School saw him grow to 6’7″, commit to the University of Texas (“I wanted to set my own path”), and become a McDonald’s All-American MVP, trailing only Greg Oden in hype.
Longhorn Legend
At Texas, the 6’9″ freshman shattered expectations. Averaging 25.8 points and 11.1 rebounds, he became the first freshman to win the Naismith College Player of the Year. Though USC upset Texas in the NCAA Tournament’s second round, Durant’s jersey (#35) now hangs retired in Austin.
Seattle & OKC: Building a Legacy
Drafted 2nd overall by the Seattle SuperSonics in 2007 (after Oden went #1), Durant’s rookie year featured a game-winner against Atlanta and Rookie of the Year honors. After the team relocated to become the Oklahoma City Thunder, Durant blossomed alongside Russell Westbrook. He won 4 scoring titles, made 11 All-NBA teams (6 First Teams), and led the Thunder to the 2012 NBA Finals, averaging 30.6 PPG against LeBron James’ Heat. His 2013-14 MVP season (32.0 PPG, franchise record) included a career-high 54 points vs. Golden State and a historic 41-game streak of 25+ points. But injuries, like a 2014 Jones fracture in his foot, and playoff heartbreak against the Warriors after a 3-1 lead in 2016, set the stage for change.
Golden State: Championships & Controversy
In a seismic 2016 move announced via The Players’ Tribune, Durant joined the 73-win Warriors. Booed mercilessly in OKC, he silenced critics by winning back-to-back titles (2017, 2018) and Finals MVP awards. He hit iconic shots, like the go-ahead 3-pointer in Game 3 of the 2017 Finals. But the 2019 playoffs brought disaster: a calf strain, then a ruptured Achilles in Game 5 of the Finals against Toronto after scoring 11 quick points. The Warriors fell short of a three-peat.
Brooklyn Nets: Triumph & Turbulence
Signing with the Brooklyn Nets in 2019 (via sign-and-trade), Durant missed his first season recovering. His 2021 return was stellar – a 42-point playoff outburst against Boston, a legendary 49-point triple-double in Game 5 vs. Milwaukee, and a near-mythic 48 points in Game 7 (his toe on the line!). But injuries (MCL sprain in 2022) and playoff sweeps by Boston fueled frustration. A 2022 offseason trade request (preferring Phoenix or Miami) was rescinded after meetings, but his time ended after scoring sprees (55 points vs. Atlanta!) and another All-Star nod. He was traded to the Phoenix Suns in February 2023.
Phoenix Suns & Historic Milestones
Switching back to #35 (Kevin Johnson’s 7 is retired in Phoenix), Durant made an immediate impact. A left ankle sprain delayed his home debut, but he finished 2023 with a historic 55–40–90 season (1st ever!). He passed icons like Oscar Robertson, Moses Malone, and Shaquille O’Neal on the scoring list. In 2024, he became the 10th player to reach 28,000 points, then 8th all-time scorer, and joined LeBron James as the only players to score 40+ against all 30 teams. On February 11, 2025, he cemented his legend by hitting 30,000 career points against Memphis.
Olympic Dominance & USA Basketball Royalty
Durant isn’t just an NBA great – he’s Team USA’s crown jewel. With 4 Olympic gold medals (2012, 2016, 2020, 2024), he’s their all-time leading scorer (518 points) and rebounder. He owns records for points averaged (18.5), field goals, and 3-pointers. His 2010 FIBA World Championship MVP and 2020 Olympic MVP highlight a unique feat: the only player with MVPs in the NBA, Olympics, and World Cup. In Paris 2024, he became the first four-time gold medalist in men’s basketball.
The Player: Scoring Machine & Evolving Genius
Listed at 6’11” (though he’s admitted being 7’0″), Durant’s blend of size, a 7’4″ wingspan, and guard skills makes him a matchup nightmare. A four-time scoring champion, he’s a 50–40–90 club member and one of basketball’s greatest players. Early critiques about his slim frame or defense faded as he became a playmaker and elite rim protector. His career averages: 27.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.4 assists.
Beyond the Court: Philanthropy, Business & Influence
Durant’s closeness with his mother Wanda (featured in a Lifetime movie) is legendary. A Christian with religious tattoos, he’s evolved from a “nice guy” image in OKC to a more outspoken figure, active on Twitter (sometimes controversially). His philanthropy includes $1M for Moore tornado relief. Business ventures thrive through Thirty Five Ventures (co-founded with Rich Kleiman):
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Boardroom media partnership with Weedmaps to destigmatize cannabis.
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Minority owner of Philadelphia Union (MLS).
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Investor in Just Women’s Sports.
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Executive producer of Apple TV+’s “Swagger”, inspired by his life.
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Academy Award winner for Two Distant Strangers (2021).
He’s a Coinbase ambassador, Nike icon, and was on Time’s 100 Most Influential list (2018). His YouTube channel and KD’s Southern Cuisine restaurant reflect diverse passions.
The Legacy
From the Prince George’s County kid wearing #35 for his coach, to the Phoenix Suns veteran chasing titles, Kevin Durant’s career is a testament to skill, adaptation, and relentless drive. As he continues climbing the scoring list and expanding his empire, one thing’s clear: KD’s story is still being written, one bucket—and one bold move—at a time.
Career statistics
ss
| 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 |
| † | Won an NBA championship | * | Led the league |
NBA
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 | .387 | .898 | 8.2 | 5.0 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 28.2 |
| 2016–17† | Golden State | 62 | 62 | 33.4 | .537 | .375 | .875 | 8.3 | 4.8 | 1.1 | 1.6 | 25.1 |
| 2017–18† | Golden State | 68 | 68 | 34.2 | .516 | .419 | .889 | 6.8 | 5.4 | .7 | 1.8 | 26.4 |
| 2018–19 | Golden State | 78 | 78 | 34.6 | .521 | .353 | .885 | 6.4 | 5.9 | .7 | 1.1 | 26.0 |
| 2020–21 | Brooklyn | 35 | 32 | 33.1 | .537 | .450 | .882 | 7.1 | 5.6 | .7 | 1.3 | 26.9 |
| 2021–22 | Brooklyn | 55 | 55 | 37.2 | .518 | .383 | .910 | 7.4 | 6.4 | .9 | .9 | 29.9 |
| 2022–23 | Brooklyn | 39 | 39 | 36.0 | .559 | .376 | .934 | 6.7 | 5.3 | .8 | 1.5 | 29.7 |
| Phoenix | 8 | 8 | 33.7 | .570 | .537 | .833 | 6.4 | 3.5 | .3 | 1.3 | 26.0 | |
| 2023–24 | Phoenix | 75 | 75 | 37.2 | .523 | .413 | .856 | 6.6 | 5.0 | .9 | 1.2 | 27.1 |
| 2024–25 | Phoenix | 62 | 62 | 36.5 | .527 | .430 | .839 | 6.0 | 4.2 | .8 | 1.2 | 26.6 |
| Career | 1,123 | 1,120 | 36.7 | .502 | .390 | .882 | 7.0 | 4.4 | 1.0 | 1.1 | 27.2 | |
| All-Star | 12 | 10 | 25.9 | .525 | .351 | .897 | 6.0 | 3.8 | 1.7 | .4 | 22.7 | |
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 | 41.8 | .517 | .373 | .864 | 7.4 | 3.7 | 1.5 | 1.2 | 28.5 |
| 2013 | Oklahoma City | 11 | 11 | 44.0 | .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 |
| 2016 | Oklahoma City | 18 | 18 | 40.3 | .430 | .282 | .890 | 7.1 | 3.3 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 28.4 |
| 2017† | Golden State | 15 | 15 | 35.5 | .556 | .442 | .893 | 7.9 | 4.3 | .8 | 1.3 | 28.5 |
| 2018† | Golden State | 21 | 21 | 38.4 | .487 | .341 | .901 | 7.8 | 4.7 | .7 | 1.2 | 29.0 |
| 2019 | Golden State | 12 | 12 | 36.8 | .514 | .438 | .903 | 4.9 | 4.5 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 32.3 |
| 2021 | Brooklyn | 12 | 12 | 40.4 | .514 | .402 | .871 | 9.3 | 4.4 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 34.3 |
| 2022 | Brooklyn | 4 | 4 | 44.0 | .386 | .333 | .895 | 5.8 | 6.3 | 1.0 | .3 | 26.3 |
| 2023 | Phoenix | 11 | 11 | 42.3 | .478 | .333 | .917 | 8.7 | 5.5 | .8 | 1.4 | 29.0 |
| 2024 | Phoenix | 4 | 4 | 42.1 | .552 | .417 | .824 | 6.5 | 3.3 | .5 | 1.5 | 26.8 |
| Career | 170 | 170 | 40.5 | .477 | .356 | .868 | 7.8 | 4.2 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 29.3 | |
College
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–07 | Texas | 35 | 35 | 35.9 | .473 | .404 | .816 | 11.1 | 1.3 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 25.8 |
Awards and honors
NBA
- Cited from Basketball Reference’s Kevin Durant page unless noted otherwise.[2]
- 2× NBA champion: 2017, 2018
- 2× NBA Finals Most Valuable Player: 2017, 2018
- NBA Most Valuable Player: 2014
- 15× NBA All-Star: 2010–2019, 2021–2025
- 6× All-NBA First Team: 2010–2014, 2018
- 5× All-NBA Second Team: 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2024
- 4× NBA scoring champion: 2010–2012, 2014
- 2× NBA All-Star Game MVP: 2012, 2019
- 2x NBA H–O–R–S–E Competition: 2009, 2010
- NBA Rookie of the Year: 2008
- NBA All-Rookie First Team: 2008
- NBA Rookie Challenge MVP: 2009
USA Basketball
- Cited from USA Basketball’s Kevin Durant page unless noted otherwise.[255]
- 4× Olympic gold medalist: 2012, 2016, 2020, 2024
- Olympics Most Valuable Player: 2020
- FIBA World Cup gold medalist: 2010
- FIBA World Cup Most Valuable Player: 2010
- 3× USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year: 2010, 2016, 2021
NCAA
- Naismith College Player of the Year: 2007[350]
- NABC Division I Player of the Year: 2007[27]
- Oscar Robertson Trophy: 2007[28]
- Adolph Rupp Trophy: 2007[29]
- John R. Wooden Award: 2007[351]
- Big 12 Player of the Year: 2007
- USBWA National Freshman of the Year: 2007
- Jersey number (35) retired at Texas
Media
- AP Player of the Year: 2007[352]
- AP All-America 1st Team: 2007[353]
- Two-time ESPY Award winner:
- 2014 Best NBA Player
- 2017 Outstanding Team (as a member of the Golden State Warriors)
See also
- List of NBA career scoring leaders
- List of NBA franchise career scoring leaders
- List of NBA career 3-point scoring leaders
- List of NBA career free throw percentage leaders
- List of NBA career free throw scoring leaders
- List of NBA career minutes played leaders
- List of NBA career playoff scoring leaders
- List of NBA career playoff blocks leaders
- List of NBA career playoff turnovers leaders
- List of NBA career playoff 3-point scoring leaders
- List of NBA career playoff free throw scoring leaders
- List of NBA career playoff minutes leaders
- List of NBA single-game playoff scoring leaders
- List of NBA annual scoring leaders
- List of NBA annual free throw percentage leaders
My name is Raushan Kumar Jha i am a professional blogger, content strategist, and SEO expert. I write about famous personalities, health, fitness, and finance on WorldsLegends.com. With six years of experience and a commerce background, crafts engaging, well-researched content that ranks higher and captivates audiences.
