Kevin Durant: Everything You Need To Know About The NBA Star

Kevin Wayne Durant, an American professional basketball player, widely regarded as one of the best NBA players globally is currently a part of the ‘Brooklyn Nets in the National Basketball Association.’ Durant has received numerous honours, including two ‘Finals MVP Awards’ and two Olympic gold medals. Durant, who was born in Washington, D.C., was a basketball fan since he was a child. During the teenage years, he and his father used to travel across the country for basketball tournaments. He was also an avid basketball player in the schools where he attended. After enrolling at the ‘University of Texas,’ his excellent athletic abilities earned him the ‘Oscar Robertson’ and ‘Adolph F Rupp’ prizes, making him the first person to receive both honours as a freshman.

Because of his exceptional talent, he got eligible for the ‘NBA’ draft after only one year of college play. Durant’s most notable accomplishment as a professional basketball player took place at the 2012 Olympics, when he not only established the record for total points scored in an Olympic basketball tournament, but also helped the national team win a gold medal. He returned to the team during the 2016 Olympics, when they won another gold medal. While playing for the ‘Golden State Warriors,’ he won the ‘NBA Championship’ twice in a row.

Biography:

Born: September 29, 1988 · Washington, District of Columbia, USA

Birth name: Kevin Wayne Durant

Nicknames: The Second Coming, KD, K-Dog, The Durantula

Height: 6′ 9½″ (2.07 m)

Kevin Wayne Durant was born to Wanda and Wayne Pratt on September 29, 1988, in Washington, D.C., USA. His father abandoned the family while he was still a newborn, and the baby was raised by his mother and grandmother. He has two brothers, Tony and Rayvonne, and one sister, Brianna.

Kevin grew up to be a very tall boy who enjoyed sports. Though he was sometimes mocked about his height, his grandmother, Barbara Davis, encouraged him, saying that his height was a blessing that will benefit him in his athletic career. Kevin’s father reunited with him when he was about 13 years old, and the two travelled across the country for basketball tournaments.

Personal Life:

Durant’s personal life is mainly kept secret, with barely any details available. He had previously been linked to Bay Area real estate agent Cassandra Anderson and was formerly engaged to former WNBA player Monica Wright until 2014.

Net Worth:

Kevin Durant has a $300 million net worth. Kevin Durant is one of the highest-paid players both on and off the court. His $42 million NBA salary places him among the league’s top five highest-paid players. Because of his several lucrative endorsement deals, he earns tens of millions of dollars more each year.

Between June 2019 and June 2020, Kevin earned $65 million from his many ventures. After three seasons with the Golden State Warriors, Kevin signed a four-year, $164 million contract with the Brooklyn Nets in 2019. He is a tech investor who has made over 40 investments in early-stage technology.

Awards:

• 13× NBA All-Star (2010–2019, 2021–2023)
• 2× NBA champion (2017, 2018)
• 2× NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (2017, 2018)
• NBA Most Valuable Player (2014)
• 6× All-NBA First Team (2010–2014, 2018)
• 4× All-NBA Second Team (2016, 2017, 2019, 2022)
• 4× NBA scoring champion (2010–2012, 2014)
• 2× NBA All-Star Game MVP (2012, 2019)
• 3× Olympic gold medallist (2012, 2016, 2020)
• Olympics Most Valuable Player (2020)
• NBA Rookie of the Year (2008)
• NBA All-Rookie First Team (2008)
• NBA Rookie Challenge MVP (2009)
• FIBA World Cup gold medallist (2010)
• FIBA World Cup Most Valuable Player (2010)
• 3× USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year (2010, 2016, 2021)

Fun Facts:

• Durant is a devout Christian who attends Chapel services before each game. He also has religious tattoos on his stomach, wrist, and back.
• In free time, he enjoys playing video games.
• He worked as a photographer for ‘The Player’s Tribune’ at ‘Superbowl 50’ in 2016.
• He grew up with fellow NBA star Michael Beasley, with whom he is extremely close.
• Durant was the captain of the United States’ FIBA World Championship team in 2010. He was the MVP and guided the squad to its first gold medal since 1994.
• He has long arms and a 7 1/2-foot wingspan!
• An interesting fact is that he wears the number 35 in memory of one of his AAU coaches, Charles Craig, who died at the age of 35.
• He signed a $60 million contract with Nike when he first entered the NBA. He actually declined a bigger contract from Adidas since he had worn Nikes since he was a child.

Read | 10 Best Small Forwards In NBA History