Kevin Durant’s 2007 College Run Was Generational

Before Kevin Durant became an NBA MVP, Finals champion, and one of the greatest scorers of all time, he was just a skinny freshman trying to prove himself at the University of Texas. In one unforgettable season, Durant dominated college basketball, shattered records, and cemented his place as a Longhorns legend.

This video takes you through Durant’s journey:
His high school dominance at Montrose Christian and the role his mother and coaches played in shaping him.
Why he chose Texas over powerhouse programs like UNC and Kentucky.
His college debut and the standout games that made him a household name.
Durant’s incredible regular-season stats and award-winning freshman year.
The March Madness highs and lows that fueled his NBA Draft buzz.
Draft night 2007, when the Seattle SuperSonics took a chance on the future of basketball.

From Texas to the NBA, this is the story of how Kevin Durant became a Texas legend.

At Texas, Durant averaged 26 points earn national player of the year at just 215 pounds while barely being able to bench press. In his lone freshman year, he left behind a legacy in Austin, Texas that will always be remembered. [Music] Before Kevin Durant dominated the college scene, he was just a lanky teenager from Maryland. Durant’s journey through high school basketball took him across the country. From Oakill Academy in Virginia, which is one of the most prestigious prep programs in the nation, to Montrose Christian, where he played his legendary senior season. And at Mont Rose, Durant stood out immediately at just 6’9 with a wingspan that seemed to stretch across the entire court. He wasn’t just tall. He was fluid, smooth, and had a skill set of a guard trapped inside a forward body. But what truly separated him wasn’t just his talent. It was his work ethic. Coaches often told stories about Durant being the first one in the gym and staying long after his teammates had left. He had a hunger and an obsession with the game that made him different. And his mother, Wanda Pratt, was a driving force behind that mentality. She demanded discipline. She demanded focus. And she consistently reminded Durant that nothing would be given to him. Everything had to be earned. And Durant’s senior season, he averaged 24 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists per game. He led his team to a 20-2 record, establishing them as one of the best programs in the country. And for his dominance, it was awarded with several honors. Washington Post all met player of the year, McDonald’s All-American and second ranked recruiter nationally, only behind Greg Odin. And Durant’s head coach Stu Veter praised his versatility and unselfish. The best shooters in the country. I mean, at any position. I mean, Kevin can shoot the three. He he has uncanny range for a big guy, but he also can can handle it and can pass it. Uh, and I think that’s what separates him from the other outstanding players in the country. I flat out think he’s the best player that I’ve seen. uh at the high school level today. And long before his senior season had ended, Durant made his college decision. When it came time to choose a college, Kevin Durant had his pick of the basketball world. Blueb blood programs like North Carolina, Duke, and Kentucky all came calling. And for most high school stars, those schools were the dream. But Durant’s path was different. He chose the University of Texas. At first, it was shocking. Texas wasn’t known as a basketball powerhouse. It was football country. But head coach Rick Barnes has been quietly building something in Austin. A program that produced NBA level talent like TJ Ford and LaMarcus Audrey that the Big 12 conference would give him tough competition and provide plenty of national exposure. And Barnes sold him on a vision getting KD league ready. A Durant later said that it was a relationship with Barnes that sealed the deal. Barnes was tough, demanding, but also believed in him in a way no other coach did. He promised Durant that Texas would give him the platform to showcase everything he could do, and Durant trusted him. So 2006, the tall, skinny kid from Maryland packed his bags and headed to Austin, Texas. A new chapter was about to begin. Little did anyone know it would become one of the most legendary one and done seasons in college basketball history. November 9th, 2006, Texas was buzzing with anticipation. The crowd over 16,000 people pour in and not just see the Longhorns begin a new season, but to witness the first glimpse of the new superstar, Kevin Durant. The Texas Longhorns were opening up the season against Alhorn State. And while the matchup itself didn’t carry much drama, all eyes were on the wiry freshman number 35. But there were some questions. Could he handle the physicality of college basketball and was the hype too much? It didn’t take long for Katie to answer those questions. And from the opening tip, he left the crowd stunned. Pull up jumpers, smooth drive for the basket, rebounding over defenders with ease. It was all on display. And by the final buzzer, Durant had dropped 20 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks. He made it look effortless. Texas won with ease. But the real story was clear. The Longhorns had a new star and college basketball had a new phenom. Reporters who had doubted whether Durant could dominate from day one were already rewriting their stories. The legend of Kevin Durant at Texas had officially begun. After his electric debut, Kevin Durant didn’t just live up to the hype. He surpassed it. Game after game, he proved that this skinny freshman wasn’t just good for his age. He was one of the best players in the entire country. On December 2nd, 2006, against Gonzaga, who was ranked 22nd in the country, he showcased the full range of his game. He scored 29 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and dished out six assists. What stood out wasn’t just the scoring. It was the way he impacted every possession. He wasn’t forcing shots. He let the game come to him. And by the end, Texas fans knew this wasn’t just a score. This was a complete player. And then one of KD’s biggest games came on January 31st, 2007 versus Texas Tech. This game turned KD into a national headline. The game became a double overtime thriller with Durant putting on a performance for the ages. He scored a career-high 37 points to go along with 12 rebounds, knocking down impossible jumpers and clutch buckets in the overtime periods. Every time Texas Tech tried to pull away, Durant responded. If the Longhorns pulled through down the stretch, everyone watching the game left with one thought. This kid was unstoppable. And just a month later on February 28th against number eight Texas A&M, Durant once again rose to the occasion. But with the nation watching, he dropped 30 points, torching one of the best defenses in the Big 12. His length made him unguardable, too quick for big man and too tall for guards. The Longhorns pulled out a massive win and Durant secured a spot as a top pick in the upcoming draft. And just a few days later on March 3rd, 2007, Durant saved one of his best performances against powerhouse Kansas. And Durant poured in 32 points and nine rebounds, trading buckets with the Jay-Hawks all night. Although Texas ultimately lost in overtime, Durant’s dominance was undeniable. He looked like a man amongst boys, a future pro already operating at the highest level. And by the end of the regular season, Kevin Durant had put together one of the most remarkable freshman campaigns in college basketball history. 26 points, 11 rebounds, and two blocks per game in an endless reel of highlight moments. And accolades poured in for KD. Consensus first team all-American AP player of the year, the Naymith award, and the John Wooden Award. KD had done the impossible. He wasn’t just the best player in college basketball. He had one of the best freshman seasons ever. By March, everyone knew Durant was declaring for the draft. As the conversation went from competing on the college level to Kaney continue his dominance in the league. Some said he was an ex- Trace McGrady long athletic ability to score from anywhere. Others saw shades of Dirk with an unguardable jumper and ability to stretch the floor at nearly 7 ft tall. But with the praise came the doubts. The same doubts he had entering college. Could his frame survive the physicality of the NBA? Even in his dominant season, some question if he’d ever be strong enough to handle the grind of an 82 game season. Still, the hype drowned out the concerns. Durant’s projected lottery pick. He was seen as a franchise changing talent. Alongside Greg Odin, Durant was locked into the bait who would go number one. With anticipation built as March Madness approached, if Durant could carry Texas on a deep tournament run, some believed he might even leapfrog Odin as a top pick. And it was a perfect setup. A freshman who had taken over college basketball, now stepping on the biggest stage of them all. March Madness wasn’t just about chasing a championship. For Kevin Durant, it was about proving to the world that he was ready to be the face of the future of basketball. The stage was set. Kevin Durant had dominated the regular season. had collected every major award and silenced nearly every doubter. But now came the true test, March Madness. This is where legends were made and Durant’s chance to cement himself as the best player in the country. In round one, the Longhorns of Durant faced New Mexico State. And from the very beginning, Durant took control. He knocked down jumpers, attacked the glass, and made his presence felt on both ends of the floor. And by the end of the night, he posted 27 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks. Texas advanced with a 7967 victory. And the nation got exactly what they wanted. Durant shining under the bright lights of March Madness. In round two, the Longhorns faced USC, a team loaded with NBA caliber talent, including Nick Young and Taj Gibson. From the start, their athletic defense swarmed Durant, throwing double teams at him, denying his space, and making him fight for every single point. And still, Durant battled. He put up 30 points and nine rebounds, doing everything in his power to keep Texas alive. But USC simply overpowered the Longhorns. The Trojan ran away with an 8768 upset, sending Texas home far earlier than anyone expected. Durant’s March Madness may have ended in disappointment, but also confirmed what the world already knew. KD was ready for the NBA. On April 11th, he declared for the NBA draft, and the basketball world knew it was about to witness something special. And when drafting arrived in June, Madison Square Garden was buzzing. And with the first pick in the 2007 draft, the Portland Trailblazers selected Greg Odin. And with the second pick, the Seattle SuperSonic drafted Kevin Durant, a future basketball icon.