Kevin Durant Biography

Kevin Durant is an American basketball player known for his scoring ability, height, and versatility. Born on September 29, 1988, in Washington, D.C., Durant developed into one of the most accomplished players of his generation, winning NBA championships, Most Valuable Player honors, scoring titles, and a record four Olympic gold medals in men's basketball.

Kevin Durant at a Glance

Kevin Durant's Early Years

Kevin Durant was born on September 29, 1988, in Washington, D.C. He was one of four children and grew up loving sports along with his sister and two brothers. One of his brothers, Anthony, also played basketball.

Durant's grandmother, Barbara, often praised him for his height and told him it was a blessing, even though he was sometimes teased for it by classmates. Her encouragement proved meaningful because Durant's height eventually became one of the physical advantages that helped him succeed in basketball.

How Did Kevin Durant Become a Basketball Star?

Durant began playing organized basketball in Maryland with an Amateur Athletic Union team called the PG Jaguars. The team won two national championships while Durant was a member.

During high school, Durant grew seven inches and reached a height of 6 feet, 9 inches. After his senior year, he was named to USA Today's First Team All-American List, making him one of the most highly recruited basketball players in the country.

Durant committed to the University of Texas and played one season there. He averaged 25.8 points and 11.1 rebounds per game and won several major national player-of-the-year awards before entering the 2007 NBA Draft.

Kevin Durant's Early NBA Career

Durant was selected with the second overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Seattle SuperSonics. He quickly established himself as one of the NBA's rising stars and won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award.

The franchise later relocated to Oklahoma City and became the Thunder. Durant became the face of the rebranded team. In 2012, he teamed with Russell Westbrook and James Harden to lead Oklahoma City to the NBA Finals.

Durant became one of the league's top scorers and won four NBA scoring titles. In 2014, he was named the NBA's Most Valuable Player after averaging 32.0 points per game.

Why Did Kevin Durant Join the Golden State Warriors?

In July 2016, Durant announced that he would sign with the Golden State Warriors. The decision drew widespread attention because the Warriors were already one of the strongest teams in the NBA.

Durant explained that he wanted an opportunity that would help him grow personally and professionally while moving outside his comfort zone.

Kevin Durant and the Golden State Warriors

Durant helped lead the Warriors to NBA championships in 2017 and 2018. He was named NBA Finals MVP in both championship seasons.

During the 2017 NBA Finals against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, Durant averaged 35.2 points and 8.4 rebounds per game.

In his final season with Golden State, Durant ruptured his Achilles tendon during the 2019 NBA Finals. The injury caused him to miss the entire following NBA season.

Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns

After leaving Golden State, Durant joined the Brooklyn Nets. He returned from his Achilles injury and continued to rank among the NBA's leading scorers.

Durant was later traded to the Phoenix Suns, where he played for parts of three seasons. His time in Brooklyn and Phoenix extended a career in which he remained one of the league's most productive scorers well into his thirties.

Kevin Durant Joins the Houston Rockets

In July 2025, Durant was traded from the Phoenix Suns to the Houston Rockets as part of a seven-team trade. The move gave Durant another opportunity to compete with a new team while continuing one of the longest and most accomplished scoring careers in NBA history.

Kevin Durant and the Olympics

Durant has also had an extraordinary career with the United States national basketball team. He won Olympic gold medals in 2012, 2016, 2020, and 2024.

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Durant won his fourth gold medal, the most ever by a men's basketball player in Olympic history. During the tournament, he also became USA Basketball's all-time Olympic scoring leader across both the men's and women's programs.

Why Is Kevin Durant Famous?

Kevin Durant is famous for combining exceptional height with elite shooting and ball-handling ability. His career includes an NBA Most Valuable Player Award, two NBA championships, two NBA Finals MVP awards, four scoring titles, numerous All-Star selections, and four Olympic gold medals.

His success with Seattle/Oklahoma City, Golden State, Brooklyn, Phoenix, Houston, and Team USA has made him one of the most recognizable basketball players of the 21st century.