34-year old Kevin Durant is an amazing NBA player, who currently plays for the Phoenix Suns. Everyone has seen him playing on the basketball floor, but there are some unknown things about him that not everyone knows. Interesting things pop up in the news sometimes, which tells us what kind of person KD is in personal life and what his likes and dislikes are. In this article, we will tell you about some untold facts about Durant that you might not know.
Won four scoring titles
Durant has won four NBA scoring titles in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014. Along with George Gervin and Allen Iverson, he is one of just three players in NBA history to win four scoring titles. He is also one of the most productive scorers in the NBA. Durant is currently ranked 13 in the NBA rankings with an average of 27.2 points per game.
Youngest player to win Scoring title
KD is the youngest NBA player to win a scoring title. He was 21 in 2010, when he won his first scoring title. Durant averaged 30.1 points per game that season and led the Oklahoma City Thunder to the playoffs. That year, he proved his exceptional talent and ability. It was only his third NBA season, but Kevin was already one of the leading scorers of the NBA. Durant won three more scoring titles later.
Carter was KD’s favorite growing up
Durant once mentioned that he wanted to play for the Toronto Raptors because of Vince Carter. His agility, energy and ability to turn a franchise around impressed Durant. KD admired Carter’s contributions and athleticism to the Raptor’s rise in playoff contention. “Vinsanity” was instrumental in changing the atmosphere on the team and making it a more attractive destination for free agents.
Highly regarded in 2006
In 2006, Durant was highly regarded as a high school basketball prospect. He went to Montrose Christian School in Rockville, Maryland, where he displayed his extraordinary talent and skills on the floor. Scouts were attracted to Durant because of his fantastic athleticism , scoring abilities and versatility. Durant used to compete in big high school basketball tournaments during his senior year. His amazing performances earned him attention as one of the top high school prospects in America, going second overall. Durant played one season of college basketball at the University of Texas before getting declared for the NBA draft, where he was drafted second overall by the Seattle SuperSonics in 2007.
Wears #35 in honor of his first coach
Since the beginning of his basketball career, Durant has worn the number 35 on his jersey in honor of his childhood coach, Charles “Chucky” Craig. Charles was murdered at the age of 35. He was Durant’s coach in Seat Pleasant, Maryland and was a significant influence in his life. KD once revealed that Craig was like a father figure to him, so he wears the number 35 in his honor. Durant has won #35 for the Seattle SuperSonics, Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors, Brooklyn Nets and currently the Phoenix Suns.
KD rejected Adidas for Nike
Kevin turned down a $70 million offer from Adidas to join Nike in 2007. The Phoenix Suns star once stated that he has been wearing Nike since eighth grade and has a long history with it, so he felt more comfortable with the company. Nike reportedly offered Durant a more creative contract with greater influence over its brand. Durant was a rookie in 2007 and he signed a $60 million deal, which also made him one of the highest paid NBA rookies at the time.
He would be a meteorologist if not NBA player
Durant said that if he weren’t a basketball player, he would be a meteorologist. For a long time, he had an interest in weather and natural disasters. He also had a set of Nike KD 4 sneakers, dubbed the “Weatherman”, which had a weather map graphic on the upper. Durant stated that he enjoys the difficulty of predicting the weather as well as helping others. He also revealed having an interest in the scientific component of meteorology.
Has a longtime deal with Nike
Following in the footsteps of basketball legends Michael Jordan and LeBron James, KD signed a lifetime contract with Nike. This makes him one of the rare players with such a long-term contract. Durant has had a long partnership with Nike since his NBA debut in 2007. During the collaboration, an amazing collection of 15 exclusive basketball shoe models has been developed.
Durant was once engaged to Monica Wright
Kevin Durant got engaged to female professional basketball player Monica Wright in 2013. The couple’s love story began when they first met and developed a deep connection that eventually evolved into a romantic partnership. Durant announced their engagement on the radio, but this relationship was short-lived, and they eventually broke their engagement and called off the wedding plans.
Kevin was featured in a Children’s film
Durant played a fictional version of himself in the film Thunderstruck. In the film, a teenage basketball fan named Brian inadvertently switches bodies with Durant after touching a basketball struck by lightning. Brian plays high school basketball in Durant’s body, while KD is trapped in Brian’s body and struggles to get used to the new life. The film was released in 2012 and was a box office hit.
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