Image via Complex Original
Today, Kevin Durant turns 26 years old. Wait! *fact checks on Durant's age* *immediately begins to feel as though he hasn't done anything in life* *sheds a few tears* Anyway, it's hard to believe that after only seven years in the NBA, Durant already has an MVP trophy, five All-Star selections, an All-Star Game MVP award, Rookie of the Year, four scoring titles and an Olympic gold to his name. It's the type of resume that analysts love to harp on and remind you every time KD balls out there on the court. But what about the stuff you may not be so privy to?
For example, do you know what Durant wants to be when he hangs up his jersey for good? Or, what about his go-to grub? Hint: Jameis Winston would approve. How about the real reason he has been wearing No. 35 all this time? Find out all of these fact facts and more in 20 Things You (Probably) Didn't Know About Kevin Durant.
When he first entered the league, Durant turned down a $70 million offer from adidas in favor of a $60 million contract with Nike.
At the time, the extra $10 million would've probably been great but Durant simply felt more comfortable going with the company he has supported since eighth grade. Luckily, things eventually worked out in KD's favor.
His No. 35 jersey at Texas was retired just one week after he was picked in the 2007 NBA Draft.
It only took one week for Texas to realize that no other player should wear the No. 35 jersey that Durant made famous. KD probably helped his case by posting 25.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, 1.9 steals and 1.3 assists per game in his only year with the Longhorns.
Source
He wears No. 35 as a tribute to his childhood coach and mentor Charles Craig, who was murdered at the age of 35.
At the age of eight, Durant met Charles Craig at the Seat Pleasant Recreational Center in the Maryland suburbs. The two formed a strong bond, similar to that of a father-son relationship. Craig schooled KD on the basics of basketball and it didn't stop there. They would also games and the movies. If Durant needed some money or a place to stay when his mother Wanda Pratt needed to put in additional hours at work, Craig was there to help. Sadly, when Kevin was a junior at Oak Hill Academy, Craig was tragically murdered after an altercation led to gunshots. Now, the numbers serves as a constant reminder of the person who molded him into the person he is today.
He told his mom at the age of 8 that he would be in the NBA.
We can't help but wonder if he also promised to, one day, he would deliver a touching MVP speech, thanking her for all of the sacrifices she made when he was growing up.
Source
KD would've wanted to be a meteorologist if he didn't make it to the NBA.
So, Durant went from predicting when it will rain to making it rain whenever he pleases. Not a bad trade.
He wanted to play for the Toronto Raptors growing up.
If Drake has his way, this could become a reality in 2016.
Source
He's the youngest player in the 50-40-90 Club.
Since the 1979–80 season, only six players have shot 50 percent from the field, 40 percent from beyond the arc and 90 percent at the charity stripe for an entire NBA season. Respect.
He's also the youngest player ever to win a scoring title.
At only 21 years old, Durant was winning a scoring title. What are/were you doing at that age?
Teammates say that he “loves to dance.”
Durant probably looks like Jack Skellington from The Nightmare Before Christmas when he breaks out the intricate dance steps. Just throwing that out there.
He has a huge tattoo across his back that says “MARYLAND.”
In other news, Durant is ridiculously tatted up.
Source
His favorite movie is “Big Momma's House.”
You mean, favorite comedy, right, KD? No, favorite movie ever? Ever? Um, okay…
Source
He always carries a backpack containing his iPad, a bible, headphones, and a phone charger.
No Capri Sun and/or brown bag dinner that Mom packed before heading off to the game, though?
He had a tattoo that had “mature” misspelled as “mautre.” Don't worry, he got it fixed.
Even after getting it fixed, Durant maintains that the tattoo was never misspelled. KD, just be honest. It's the mautre thing to do.
He donated $1 million of his own money to the Red Cross in 2013 for victims of the Moore, Okla. tornado.
As if you needed another reason as to why Durant is one of the nicest guys in the league.
He has a group of fans that call themselves “Team Doo Doo Jump.”
Based on his Sprint commercial where you can hear Durant possibly pronounce the game Doodle Jump as “Doo Doo Jump.” If so, it's an honest mistake, but guess what? The Internet never forgets.
When he was 11, Michael Beasley stole pizza from Durant's entire team.
Those munchies are no joke. Kidding, kidding. Okay, maybe.
He was high school teammates with Greivis Vasquez.
The two became acquainted in high school at Montrose Christian. Now, Vasquez just wants to play alongside him… with the Raptors. Toronto steadily becoming the dark horse to land Durant in two years.
Source
He says "I'm Good" by Clipse would be the theme music used when he walked into the arena.
Durant confesses to listening to "I'm Good" before every game for the last four years because it makes him "feel right." How Jay Z feels about this?