Rookie Radar
Player to Watch: Kevin Durant
Will It Be #1 or #2 For Durant

Dennis Rogers
drogers@vegassummerleague.com

Is Durant Seattle-Bound?

Kevin Durant, 6-10 Forward/Texas/Freshman

 

Durant, the first freshman to be named the consensus National Player of the Year in NCAA history, will be one of the top two picks (along with Greg Oden) of the 2007 NBA Draft. Durant did it all in his one season with the Longhorns, leading the Big 12 in points (25.8 ppg), rebounds (11.1 rpg) and blocked shots (67 total). He was the only player to rank in the top 10 in the nation in scoring (fourth) and rebounding (fourth).

 

“I just don't want to be a player in the NBA; I want to have an impact,” Durant said of being one of the top two picks. "That was one of the big decisions, too. I just didn't want to go in there being a regular player. I thought I have achieved that status and it was just my time to go.”

 

Although Durant has a thin body and needs to add weight and strength to his frame, his wingspan, leaping ability and offensive game make him a dynamic player. Durant, who is only 18-years-old, carried the Longhorns on offense during many key games, displaying the maturity of a senior. He has an array of post moves, plus can hit from the outside (40% from 3-point range and 80% from the free throw line).

 

Durant has drawn comparisons to many of the top players in the league including Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki, Houston's Tracy McGrady and Minnesota's Kevin Garnett. He still has growing to do as a player because of his age and lack of playing against top tier talent, however, he is viewed as the most NBA-ready player in the year's draft. Don’t be surprised if he comes into the NBA and starts for a team while averaging 17-19 points a game as a rookie.