Kevin Durant

In his lone season at Texas, Kevin Durant became the first freshman ever to win a national college player of the year award.

Kevin Wayne Durant was born in Washington DC in 1988. He attended the University of Texas for one season and produced the finest freshman campaign in college basketball history. He averaged 25.8 points and 11.1 rebounds per game — the only freshman ever to lead the nation in scoring. He won the Naismith Award as national player of the year — the first freshman in history to win the award. He was the consensus All-American. He was the Big 12 Player of the Year. Texas reached the second round of the tournament. Seattle SuperSonics selected him second overall in the 2007 NBA Draft — he was widely expected to be taken first overall until the Portland Trail Blazers chose Greg Oden instead. His one Texas season — scoring champion, Naismith Award winner, first freshman to win the award — is the most individually decorated single season in the history of college basketball's player of the year award. He went on to become a 27-plus point per game scorer across his NBA career — the second-highest career average in league history. His Texas season was the first indication of what the sport was dealing with.

Durant possessed exceptional height at 6'10" with remarkable shooting ability and ball-handling skills rare for his size. He could score from anywhere on the court with his smooth shooting stroke and long wingspan, making him nearly impossible to defend. His combination of size, skill, and athleticism allowed him to play multiple positions effectively.

Durant's dominant one-and-done college season helped establish the blueprint for elite prospects using college basketball as a brief stepping stone to professional careers.

• Naismith College Player of the Year 2007
• Wooden Award 2007
• Big 12 Player of the Year 2007