Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Kevin Durant

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Kevin Durant made an impact.

Kevin Durant is an American professional basketball player for the Phoenix Suns. Widely regarded as one of the greatest scorers in NBA history, Durant has won two NBA championships, an NBA MVP award, two Finals MVP awards, four scoring titles, and an NBA Rookie of the Year Award. He has been named to 11 All-NBA teams and selected 15 times as an NBA All-Star. He also holds four Olympic gold medals and was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021. He currently ranks eighth among NBA career scoring leaders.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1994: FIBA World Championship

In 1994, prior to Durant leading the team to victory in 2010, Team USA had not won the FIBA World Championship since 1994.

2006: College Season with Texas Longhorns

During the 2006 college season, Durant averaged 25.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game for the Texas Longhorns.

February 2007: Invitation to United States national team training camp

In February 2007, Kevin Durant received an invitation to the United States national team training camp. Despite a strong performance, he was ultimately cut from the team.

2007: Drafted by Seattle SuperSonics

In 2007, Kevin Durant was selected as the second overall pick in the NBA draft by the Seattle SuperSonics. In his first game, the 19-year-old Durant scored 18 points against the Denver Nuggets.

2008: SuperSonics Relocate to Oklahoma City

Following Durant's rookie season in 2008, the Supersonics relocated to Oklahoma City, becoming the Thunder.

2010: Scoring Titles

From 2010 to 2014, Durant won four scoring titles, establishing his prodigious scoring ability.

2010: Start of Senior National Team Career

From 2010 to 2024, Durant played with the senior men's United States national team in 37 official games, in major FIBA tournaments, averaging 18.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists.

2010: Increasing Assist Numbers

From 2010, Durant increased his assist numbers every year through 2014.

2010: Selection to national team and FIBA World Championship

In 2010, Kevin Durant was selected to the national team at the FIBA World Championship. Durant led Team USA to its first FIBA World Championship since 1994 and earned the tournament's MVP honors.

2010: Signs Contract Extension

Prior to the start of the 2010 season, Durant signed a five-year contract extension with the Thunder worth approximately $86 million.

2011: Conference Finals Appearance

In the 2011 NBA playoffs, Durant led the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Conference Finals, where they lost to the Dallas Mavericks in five games.

2012: Olympics Record

At the 2012 Olympics, Durant set the record for total points scored in an Olympic basketball tournament. He helped the national team go undefeated en route to a gold medal.

2012: Finishing at the Rim

In 2012, Durant converted 72.2% of his shots in the paint, demonstrating his strength as a finisher at the rim.

2012: NBA Finals Appearance

In 2012, Durant led the Thunder to the NBA Finals, where they lost to the Miami Heat in five games.

2013: 50-40-90 Club

By 2013, Durant's shooting accuracy allowed him to become one of only nine members of the 50–40–90 club.

2013: Donation to American Red Cross

In 2013, Durant pledged $1 million to the American Red Cross for the victims of the 2013 Moore tornado.

2013: Roc Nation Signing and Earnings

In 2013, Durant signed with Roc Nation and earned $35 million, making him the fourth-highest-earning basketball player that year.

2014: Withdrawal from FIBA Basketball World Cup

In 2014, Durant announced that he would be dropping out of the FIBA Basketball World Cup, citing mental and physical exhaustion.

2014: Partnership with KIND Snacks

In 2014, Durant partnered with KIND snacks and launched StrongAndKind.com to promote kindness.

2014: Defensive Improvement

In 2014, opponents averaged just .62 points per isolation play against Durant, showcasing defensive improvement.

2016: Return to Team USA and Gold Medal

In 2016, Durant rejoined Team USA on the Olympic team, leading them to a gold medal. He was also named the 2016 co-USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year along with Carmelo Anthony.

2016: Credentialed Photographer at Super Bowl 50

In 2016, Durant worked as a credentialed photographer for The Players' Tribune at Super Bowl 50.

2016: Joining the Warriors

In 2016, Durant's ability to impact the offense in a variety of ways helped him remain effective and improve the already elite offense upon joining the Warriors.

2016: Durant's debut for the Warriors

In 2016, Kevin Durant debuted for the Warriors on October 25 against the San Antonio Spurs, scoring a team-high 27 points in a loss. Durant suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain and a tibial bone bruise in his left knee in March, forcing him to miss the final 19 games of the season. The Warriors finished the 2016-17 season with a 67-15 record and entered the playoffs as the first seed.

2016: Signs with the Golden State Warriors

On July 4, 2016, Durant announced his intention to sign with the Golden State Warriors via The Players' Tribune. On July 7, Durant officially signed with Golden State on a two-year, $54.3 million contract with a player option after the first year.

April 7, 2017: YouTube Account Creation

On April 7, 2017, Durant created a YouTube account and began uploading live stream vlogs.

2017: Durant re-signs with the Warriors

After the 2017 NBA Finals, Kevin Durant declined his player option and became an unrestricted free agent. On July 25, 2017, he re-signed with the Warriors for less money than the maximum.

2017: Thirty Five Ventures Founding

In 2017, Durant and Rich Kleiman founded Thirty Five Ventures.

2017: Durant's NBA Finals MVP Award

In 2017, Kevin Durant returned from injury for the NBA playoffs and helped the Warriors advance to the Finals. Durant was the Golden State's top scorer in every game, averaging 35.2 points. He was subsequently named the NBA Finals MVP. The Warriors finished the playoffs with a 16–1 record.

February 13, 2018: Apple TV Drama Creation

On February 13, 2018, it was reported that Durant, in partnership with Imagine Television, will create a basketball-themed scripted drama for Apple.

July 7, 2018: Durant re-signs with the Warriors

On July 7, 2018, Kevin Durant re-signed with the Warriors on a reported two-year, $61.5 million contract, which included a player option for the second year.

2018: Defensive Player of the Year Consideration

In 2018, Durant was considered for the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award, signifying his development into a reliable defender.

2018: Durant wins second Finals MVP Award

In 2018, Kevin Durant led the Warriors to a 3-0 advantage in the NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Golden State ultimately swept Cleveland and clinched a second straight championship; with averages of 28.8 points. Durant won a second back-to-back Finals MVP Award.

June 2019: Durant decides to sit out the 2019-20 season

In June 2019, shortly after his injury, Kevin Durant decided he would be sitting out the entire 2019–20 season.

June 30, 2019: Durant plans to sign with the Brooklyn Nets

On June 30, 2019, Kevin Durant announced that he planned to sign with the Brooklyn Nets after the July moratorium ended on July 6.

June 15, 2020: Minority Owner of Philadelphia Union

On June 15, 2020, Durant became a minority owner of MLS side Philadelphia Union, acquiring a 5% stake.

June 2020: YouTube Channel Growth

As of June 2020, Durant's YouTube channel had received over 790,000 subscribers and 38 million video views.

December 22, 2020: Durant makes Nets debut

On December 22, 2020, Kevin Durant made his Nets debut, putting up 22 points in a win over his former team, the Golden State Warriors.

2020: Basketball County Documentary

In 2020, Thirty Five Ventures produced Basketball County, a documentary about youth basketball in Durant's home county.

January 14, 2021: Harden traded to the Nets, reuniting with Durant

On January 14, 2021, James Harden was traded to the Nets in a four-team deal, reuniting Kevin Durant with his former Thunder teammate.

January 16, 2021: Durant scores season-high 42 points

On January 16, 2021, Kevin Durant scored a season-high 42 points in a win over the Orlando Magic.

April 7, 2021: Durant returns from injury

On April 7, 2021, Kevin Durant made his return, scoring 17 points in a win over the New Orleans Pelicans.

May 2021: Investment in Just Women's Sports

In May 2021, Durant (through Thirty Five Ventures) was announced as an investor in Just Women's Sports, an American media platform.

August 8, 2021: Durant signs extension with the Nets

On August 8, 2021, Kevin Durant signed a four-year, $198 million extension with the Nets.

August 2021: Partnership with Weedmaps

In August 2021, Durant announced a partnership between his multimedia company Boardroom and the cannabis technology company Weedmaps.

October 29, 2021: Swagger TV Show Premiere

On October 29, 2021, Swagger, a TV show inspired by Durant's life story, premiered on Apple TV+.

Loading Video...

December 22, 2021: Deal with Coinbase

On December 22, 2021, Durant had signed a deal with Coinbase to serve as a brand ambassador.

2021: Academy Award Win

In 2021, Thirty Five Ventures' work Two Distant Strangers won the Academy Award for Short Film (Live Action).

2021: Olympics delayed until 2021

In 2021, the 2020 Olympic team games were delayed until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Durant broke Carmelo Anthony's record on July 31 against the Czech Republic, and led the unheralded U.S. squad to a gold medal, with FIBA naming him the tournament's MVP.

June 30, 2022: Durant requests trade from the Nets

On June 30, 2022, it was reported that Kevin Durant had requested a trade from the Nets.

August 24, 2022: Durant rescinds trade request

On August 24, 2022, Kevin Durant rescinded his trade request after meeting with Nets management.

October 2022: Investment in Professional Pickleball Team

In October 2022, Durant joined fellow professional athletes as an investor in a professional pickleball team via their Thirty Five Ventures (35V) firm.

February 9, 2023: Durant traded to Phoenix Suns

On February 9, 2023, Kevin Durant was traded to the Phoenix Suns.

2024: Continued National Team Performance

From 2010 to 2024, Durant played with the senior men's United States national team in 37 official games, averaging 18.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists.

2024: Fourth Olympic Appearance

In 2024, at age 35, Durant made his fourth Olympic appearance on the 2024 Olympic team. On August 4, Durant became the United States' all-time rebounding leader at the Olympics, surpassing Carmelo Anthony, in a win against Puerto Rico. On August 7, he became the United States' all-time Olympic scoring leader, surpassing Lisa Leslie of the women's team, in a quarterfinal win against Brazil. Team USA won the gold medal in a rematch against France, making Durant the first and only four-time gold medalist in men's basketball.