History of Kevin Durant in Timeline
Kevin Durant, also known as KD, is an American professional basketball player currently playing for the Phoenix Suns. He has achieved significant success throughout his NBA career, including two NBA championships, four Olympic gold medals, an MVP award, two Finals MVP awards, two All-Star Game MVP awards, four scoring titles, and the Rookie of the Year award. He's been named to 11 All-NBA teams and 15 All-Star teams. In 2021, Durant was honored as a member of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, recognizing his impact on the league's history.
September 29, 1988: Birth of Kevin Durant
Kevin Wayne Durant was born on September 29, 1988.
1994: Team USA's First FIBA World Championship Since 1994
In 1994, Team USA won the FIBA World Championship. This is relevant to Durant's history because his 2010 win with the team marked their first championship since this year.
1996: Historic Scoring Feat with Westbrook
In the 2015-2016 season, Durant and Westbrook became the first pair of teammates since 1996 to score at least 40 points each in a single game.
2006: College Basketball Success and National Player of the Year
During the 2006-2007 college season, Kevin Durant led the Texas Longhorns and became the first freshman to win the Naismith College Player of the Year award. His jersey number 35 was later retired by the Longhorns.
2006: Interest in 2006 NBA Draft
In 2006, Kevin Durant considered entering the NBA Draft if the one-and-done rule hadn't been implemented.
2006: High School Accolades
In 2006, Kevin Durant was named the Washington Post All-Met Basketball Player of the Year and MVP of the McDonald's All-American Game.
February 2007: Durant Invited to Team USA Training Camp
In February 2007, Kevin Durant received an invitation to the United States national team training camp, but was ultimately cut from the final twelve-player roster.
2007: NBA Rookie of the Year
At the end of the 2007-2008 NBA season, Kevin Durant was named Rookie of the Year.
2007: NBA Debut and First Game-Winner
Kevin Durant made his NBA debut in 2007, scoring 18 points, and later made his first game-winning shot against the Atlanta Hawks.
2007: Drafted into the NBA
Kevin Durant was drafted second overall by the Seattle SuperSonics in the 2007 NBA draft.
2008: Oklahoma City Thunder Formation
Following Durant's rookie season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, becoming the Thunder.
2008: Team Relocates and Rebrands
In 2008, the Seattle SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma City and became the Oklahoma City Thunder.
2009: First All-Star Game and Youngest Scoring Champion
During the 2009-2010 season, Durant was selected to his first All-Star game and became the youngest scoring champion in NBA history.
2009: Rookie Challenge Record and Most Improved Player Contender
At the 2009 NBA All-Star Weekend, Kevin Durant set a Rookie Challenge record with 46 points and was a strong contender for the Most Improved Player award.
2010: Contract Extension with Thunder
Before the 2010-2011 season, Durant signed a five-year contract extension with the Thunder.
2010: Durant Leads Team USA to FIBA World Championship, Wins MVP
In 2010, Kevin Durant led Team USA to victory in the FIBA World Championship, earning the tournament MVP award.
2010: FIBA World Championship Gold Medal
Kevin Durant won a gold medal at the 2010 FIBA World Championship.
2010: Durant's National Team Career Begins
Kevin Durant's career with the senior men's United States national team began in 2010.
2011: First 50-Point Game
During the 2011-2012 season, Durant scored his first 50-point game against the Denver Nuggets.
2011: Second Scoring Title and Playoff Run
In 2011, Durant won his second scoring title and led the Thunder to the Western Conference Finals.
2012: Durant Sets Olympic Scoring Record, Wins Gold
At the 2012 Olympics, Kevin Durant set a new record for total points scored in an Olympic basketball tournament, helping Team USA win the gold medal.
2012: First NBA Finals Appearance
In 2012, Kevin Durant led the Oklahoma City Thunder to their first NBA Finals appearance, where they lost to the Miami Heat.
2012: Near Scoring Title Defense and 50-40-90 Club
In the 2012-2013 season, Kevin Durant averaged 28.1 points per game, narrowly missing defending his scoring title. However, he achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the youngest player in NBA history to join the 50-40-90 club, showcasing exceptional shooting percentages across the board.
2012: Olympic Gold Medal
Kevin Durant won his first Olympic gold medal with Team USA in 2012.
2012: All-Star Game MVP and Third Scoring Title
Kevin Durant won the All-Star Game MVP award and secured his third consecutive scoring title in 2012. He also led the Thunder to the NBA Finals, where they lost to the Miami Heat.
2013: Playoff Performance Without Westbrook
During the 2013 NBA Playoffs, Kevin Durant led the Oklahoma City Thunder in the absence of Russell Westbrook, who suffered a meniscus injury. Despite averaging a career-high 30.8 points per game, the Thunder were eliminated in the second round by the Memphis Grizzlies.
2013: Scoring Streak and MVP Award
In the 2013-14 NBA season, Kevin Durant displayed an incredible scoring prowess, averaging 35.9 points per game in January, including a career-high 54 points against the Golden State Warriors. His consistent performance throughout the season earned him the NBA Most Valuable Player award.
2014: Injury-Plagued Season
The 2014-15 season was marred by injuries for Kevin Durant, who suffered a Jones fracture in his right foot, an ankle injury, and a toe sprain. He underwent a foot surgery and was ruled out for the rest of the season after playing only 27 games.
2014: Playoff Performance and Series Comeback
In the 2014 NBA playoffs, Kevin Durant faced initial struggles against the Memphis Grizzlies, but responded with a strong performance in Game 6 to help the Thunder win the series. The team ultimately reached the Western Conference Finals but lost to the San Antonio Spurs.
2014: Durant Withdraws from FIBA World Cup
In 2014, Kevin Durant withdrew from the FIBA Basketball World Cup, citing mental and physical exhaustion.
2015: Warriors' Championship
In 2015, The Golden State Warriors won the NBA Championship.
2015: Start of 2015-16 Season and Playoff Run
The 2015-16 season began with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook achieving historic milestones together, including becoming the first pair of teammates to score 40 points each in a single game since 1996. The Thunder reached the Western Conference Finals but lost to the Golden State Warriors.
2016: Debut with the Warriors and Injury
In 2016, Kevin Durant debuted for the Golden State Warriors against the San Antonio Spurs. He also achieved a rare statistical feat against the Minnesota Timberwolves. However, a knee injury later in the season sidelined him for the remaining games.
2016: Durant Wins Olympic Gold, Co-USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year
In 2016, Kevin Durant helped Team USA win another Olympic gold medal and shared the USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year award with Carmelo Anthony.
2016: Playoff Journey and Western Conference Finals
In the 2016 NBA Playoffs, Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder navigated through challenging series against the Dallas Mavericks and the San Antonio Spurs. Despite Durant's strong performance, the Thunder's playoff run ended in the Western Conference Finals against the Golden State Warriors, after initially leading the series 3-1.
2016: Signs with Golden State Warriors
Kevin Durant signed with the Golden State Warriors in 2016 after they won a record 73 regular season games.
2016: Second Olympic Gold Medal
Kevin Durant won his second Olympic gold medal with Team USA in 2016.
2016: Joining the Golden State Warriors
On July 4, 2016, Kevin Durant made a controversial move by signing with the Golden State Warriors, a team that had just achieved a record-setting 73-win season. This decision was met with mixed reactions, with some criticizing Durant for joining a superteam.
2017: Re-signing with the Warriors
After the 2017 NBA Finals, Kevin Durant re-signed with the Golden State Warriors, taking less than the maximum salary to help the team retain its core roster.
2017: First NBA Championship and Finals MVP
In 2017, Kevin Durant won his first NBA championship and Finals MVP award with the Golden State Warriors.
2017: NBA Championship and Finals MVP
In the 2017 NBA Playoffs, Kevin Durant returned from injury and played a crucial role in leading the Golden State Warriors to their third consecutive NBA Finals appearance. The Warriors achieved an impressive 16-1 record in the postseason, and Durant was named the Finals MVP.
2018: Recognized as One of Time's 100 Most Influential People
In 2018, Kevin Durant was listed among Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world.
2018: Second NBA Championship and Finals MVP
Kevin Durant won his second consecutive NBA championship and Finals MVP award with the Golden State Warriors in 2018.
2019: Achilles Injury in NBA Finals
Kevin Durant suffered an Achilles injury during the 2019 NBA Finals.
2020: Durant Commits to 2020 Olympics (Delayed to 2021)
In 2020, Kevin Durant committed to playing in the 2020 Olympic Games, which were later postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020: Third Olympic Gold Medal
Kevin Durant won his third Olympic gold medal with Team USA in 2020.
October 29, 2021: Swagger (TV series) Release
On October 29, 2021, the television series "Swagger," inspired by Kevin Durant's life, premiered. Durant served as executive producer for the show.
December 22, 2021: Coinbase Brand Ambassador Deal
On December 22, 2021, Kevin Durant signed an agreement with Coinbase, a cryptocurrency exchange platform, to be their brand ambassador.
2021: Durant Breaks Olympic Scoring Record, Wins Third Gold Medal, MVP Award, and USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year
In 2021, Kevin Durant broke Carmelo Anthony's record for most points scored in U.S. men's Olympic basketball history, led Team USA to a gold medal, won the tournament MVP award, and was named USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year for the third time.
2021: Named to NBA 75th Anniversary Team
In 2021, Kevin Durant was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, recognizing him as one of the greatest players in league history.
October 2022: Investment in Professional Pickleball Team
In October 2022, Kevin Durant, along with other athletes like LeBron James, Tom Brady, and Drew Brees, invested in a professional pickleball team through his firm, Thirty Five Ventures.
2022: Trade Request from Brooklyn Nets
Kevin Durant requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets during the 2022 offseason.
October 31, 2023: Durant Passes Olajuwon, Reaches 27,000 Career Points
On October 31, 2023, despite a 115-114 loss to the San Antonio Spurs, Kevin Durant scored 26 points, surpassing Hakeem Olajuwon for 12th on the all-time career scoring list and becoming the 12th player to reach 27,000 career points.
January 21, 2024: Durant Scores 40 with Zero Free Throws
On January 21, 2024, Kevin Durant scored 40 points and grabbed nine rebounds in a 117-110 win over the Indiana Pacers, becoming the first Phoenix Sun and the 14th player in NBA history to score 40 points without attempting a free throw.
October 26, 2024: Durant Reaches 29,000 Career Points
On October 26, 2024, Kevin Durant reached 29,000 career points in a game against the Dallas Mavericks, becoming the eighth player in NBA history to achieve this milestone.
2024: Durant's National Team Career Highlights
By 2024, Kevin Durant had won five gold medals with the U.S. national team, including four Olympic golds and one from the 2010 FIBA World Championship. He also held numerous U.S. Olympic men's career records.
2024: Durant's Fourth Olympic Appearance, Wins Fourth Gold Medal
In 2024, Kevin Durant made his fourth Olympic appearance, becoming the first and only four-time gold medalist in men's basketball after Team USA's victory.
2024: Fourth Olympic Gold Medal and Historic Achievement
In 2024, Kevin Durant won his fourth Olympic gold medal, becoming the first male athlete to achieve this in a team sport.
January 25, 2025: Durant Named All-Star Starter
On January 25, 2025, Kevin Durant was selected as a Western Conference starter for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, his fifteenth All-Star selection and thirteenth as a starter.