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Top 20 Untold Facts About Kevin Durant

Few NBA players have generated as much interest and excitement as the enigmatic Kevin Durant. His impressive stature and amazing skills are only a portion of the tale. Fans and professionals alike are unaware of a tale that is shrouded in mystery.

This journey of discovery reveals the tales that moulded this illustrious figure into the basketball hero he is today. We will delve further into the unknown stories that lurk beneath the surface, from the shadows of his past to his quick ascent to fame.

You will be enthralled as we expose hidden tales that have moulded him into the man he is today as we unravel the nuances of his closely guarded personal life. These are the kinds of stories that occasionally appear in the news. These are the tales that reveal Kevin Durant’s true identity as the genuine person behind the legend.

Prepare for an exciting journey through the captivating story of a man who defies expectations and embraces the complexities of his mythos. Here are 20 untold facts about Kevin Durant.

1. His Favorite NBA Player Is Vince Carter

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Kevin Durant stated that he desired to play for the Toronto Raptors due to Vince Carter. Carter’s energy, agility, and ability to turn around a franchise impressed him.

Durant admired Carter’s energy, athleticism, and contribution to the Raptors’ rise to playoff contention. Carter was instrumental in changing the atmosphere in Toronto and making the team a more appealing destination for free agents.

2. He Only Played A Single College Season

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Durant is now widely regarded as one of the best players in NBA history. However, many people were unaware of his amazing ability even before he rose to national prominence.

With only one season of collegiate basketball under his belt at Texas, he was taken as the second overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft.

Durant showed the world in his lone college season that he would be a valuable asset to any NBA team, a promise he kept when he entered the league.

3. His Favorite Team Growing Up Was The Raptors

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Growing up, Kevin Durant’s favourite team was the Toronto Raptors. He has stated that he was a huge fan of Vince Carter and appreciated Carter’s intensity, athleticism, and ability to turn around a team. Durant was also a fan of the Raptors’ clothing and the fact that they were a new team when he was a kid.

Even though Durant never got to play for the Raptors, he has stated that he has a soft place for the franchise. On occasion, he has been seen wearing Raptors jerseys.

4. Durant Was Regarded As The Second-best High School Prospect Of 2006

In 2006, Kevin Durant was a highly touted high school basketball prospect. He went to Montrose Christian School in Rockville, Maryland, where he demonstrated his outstanding talent and skills on the basketball court. Scouts and college recruiters were drawn to Durant because of his exceptional scoring abilities, versatility, and athleticism.

He was a McDonald’s All-American his senior year and competed in prestigious high school basketball tournaments. His performances gained him attention as one of the country’s top high school prospects, placing second overall.

Durant then committed to play one season of college basketball at the University of Texas before declaring for the NBA Draft, where he was taken second overall by the Seattle SuperSonics in 2007.

5. His Jersey No.35 Was Retired After He Was Drafted

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Following Kevin Durant’s selection in the 2007 NBA Draft, Texas recognized the magnitude of his impact, causing them to retire the No. 35 jersey he had made iconic.

Durant’s outstanding statistics for the Longhorns during his lone season, averaging 25.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, 1.9 steals, and 1.3 assists per game, undoubtedly strengthened his case for this honour. His outstanding play on the court reinforced his status as an excellent athlete deserving of the university’s honourable award.

6. Durant Was Selected With The Second Overall Pick By The Seattle SuperSonics

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The Seattle SuperSonics selected Kevin Durant second overall in the 2007 NBA Draft. The Oklahoma City Thunder were formed after the team relocated to Oklahoma City.

Durant’s second-round pick has since proven to be one of the most significant in NBA history. He went on to have a fantastic career and became one of the greatest players of his generation.

7. Durant Won 4 Scoring Titles In 5 Years

Kevin Durant has four NBA scoring titles to his name. In 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2014, he won the scoring title. Along with George Gervin and Allen Iverson, he is one of just three players in NBA history to have won four scoring titles.

Durant is also one of the NBA’s most productive scorers. He is presently ranked 13th all-time in NBA scoring, with a career average of 27.2 points per game.

8. KD Is The Youngest Player Ever To Win A Scoring Title

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Kevin Durant is the NBA’s youngest player to win a scoring title. He won the scoring title in 2010 at the age of 21 years and 197 days. He averaged 30.1 points per game that season and led the Oklahoma City Thunder to the playoffs.

Durant’s 2010 scoring title proved his extraordinary talent and potential. He was only in his third NBA season, but he was already one of the league’s leading scorers.

He won three more scoring titles in 2011, 2012, and 2014. With a career average of 27.2 points per game, he is now ranked 13th all-time in NBA scoring.

Related: NBA’s 15 Greatest Scorers: The Players Who Put Up the Numbers

9. He wears No.35 In Tribute Of His First Ever Coach

Kevin Durant wears No. 35 in honour of his childhood coach, Charles “Chucky” Craig, who was murdered at the age of 35. Craig was Durant’s coach as a child in Seat Pleasant, Maryland, and he had a significant impact on his life. Durant has revealed that Craig was a kind of father to him and that he wears the number 35 in his honour.

Throughout his NBA career, Durant has worn No. 35 for the Seattle SuperSonics, Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors, Brooklyn Nets, and currently the Phoenix Suns. He has claimed that he will wear No. 35 for the rest of his basketball career.

10. He Turned Down Adidas For Nike

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Kevin Durant passed down a $70 million offer from Adidas to join Nike in 2007. He had a long history with Nike dating back to eighth grade, and he felt more at ease with the company. Nike allegedly offered Durant a more creative contract with greater influence over his brand.

Adidas allegedly became enraged when Durant turned down their offer, but they eventually agreed. Durant and Nike reached an agreement on a seven-year, $60 million deal, making him the highest-paid rookie in NBA history at the time.

11. KD Had His Restaurant Named KD’s Southern Cuisine

Kevin Durant co-owned KD’s Southern Cuisine, a restaurant in Bricktown, Oklahoma City. The restaurant first opened its doors in 2013 and closed in 2016.

Traditional Southern delicacies such as fried chicken, catfish, and collard greens were on the menu. There was also a full bar in the restaurant. Both locals and visitors frequented KD’s Southern Cuisine. The restaurant, however, closed in 2016.

12. Durant Would Have Been A Meteorologist If Not A Basketball Player

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Kevin Durant has stated that if he wasn’t a basketball player, he would have been a meteorologist. Weather and natural disasters have long piqued his interest. He even had a set of Nike KD 4 sneakers called “Weatherman” with a weather map graphic on the upper.

Durant has stated that he enjoys the difficulty of weather forecasting as well as the pleasure of being able to assist others. He also expressed interest in the scientific component of meteorology.

13. Durant Is A Three-Time Gold Medalist

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Kevin Durant has three gold medals with the United States National Team. He won gold medals at the Summer Olympics in 2012, the Summer Olympics in 2016, and the Summer Olympics in 2020.

Durant’s gold medals with the national team demonstrate his tremendous talent and competitive drive. He is considered one of the best basketball players in the world, and he has established himself as a dominant force on the international stage.

Also Read: Top 20 Interesting Facts About James Harden

14. He Has A Lifetime Deal With Nike

Kevin Durant, a player with the Phoenix Suns, has signed a “lifetime contract” with Nike, following in the footsteps of basketball legends Michael Jordan and LeBron James. This makes him one of the scarce players with such long-term contracts.

Durant has had a long-standing partnership with Nike since his debut in the NBA in 2007 when he was named Rookie of the Year. During their collaboration, they have developed an incredible collection of 15 distinct basketball shoe models.

15. He Was Engaged To Monica Wright

In 2013, Kevin Durant and Monica Wright, both professional basketball players, got engaged. Their love story began when they first met, and through the years, they established a profound connection that finally bloomed into a romantic partnership.

Durant announced their engagement on the radio, but the relationship was short-lived, and the couple eventually called off their wedding plans.

16. He’s A Content Creator On YouTube

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Kevin Durant is a well-known YouTube video creator with his channel Boardroom. Even though the Boardroom channel has developed, Durant frequently makes guest appearances, providing insights on the current condition of basketball and voicing his opinions on crucial topics.

While the channel may not be of interest to everyone, Durant’s diehard fans will undoubtedly appreciate the opportunity to gain deeper insights into their idol’s psyche. Listening to Durant talk about his hobbies allows his followers to interact with the basketball sensation off of the court.

17. Durant’s First Car Was A Toyota Sequoia

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Kevin Durant’s first car was a Toyota Sequoia, a humble vehicle in comparison to the lavish vehicles he could afford after becoming an NBA superstar.

Durant, on the other hand, kept the Sequoia as a reminder of his humble beginnings. He cherished his early memories of driving the Toyota, and he saw it as a testament to his determination and endurance as he pursued his basketball dreams.

Durant’s decision to keep his old car shows his humility and gratitude for his humble beginnings. Even after achieving immense success, he never lost sight of the significance of that first automobile, which represented his hard work and devotion to his craft.

18. Durant Is Featured In the Children’s Film Thunderstruck

Kevin Durant played a fictionalized version of himself in the 2012 film Thunderstruck. In the film, a teen basketball fan called Brian (Lil Rel Howery) unintentionally switches bodies with Durant after touching a lightning-struck basketball.

Brian plays high school basketball in Durant’s body, while Durant is trapped in Brian’s body and fighting to acclimate to his new life. Brian finally switches back bodies and assists Durant in winning the state championship.

The film was a box office hit, introducing Durant to a broader audience. Critics gave it mixed reviews, with some applauding the film’s wit and others criticizing its predictability.

19. He Was An Accredited Photographer In The 2016 Players’ Tribune At Super Bowl 50

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Kevin Durant was an approved photographer for Super Bowl 50 in 2016. He was invited to photograph the game and the activities surrounding it by The Players’ Tribune, a sports media organization co-founded by Durant. Durant was given a press pass and access to the field, sidelines, and locker rooms.

He captured some of the game’s most memorable moments with his camera, such as Denver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders’ touchdown reception to seal the victory.

20. Durant Is A Video Games Enthusiast

Video games are a passion for Kevin Durant. After a long day of basketball, he mentioned that he enjoys playing video games to unwind and reduce his tension. He has even been known to stream himself playing video games on Twitch. 

Due to his passion for video games, Durant has worked with various game development studios. He has been featured in NBA 2K and Call of Duty advertisements. Additionally, he created a line of video game-inspired sneakers for Nike.

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