Team USA defeated Mexico 5-3 on Monday night at Daikin Park in Houston in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Paul Skenes earned his first Team USA start, pitched four scoreless innings and struck out seven batters.
Among those who left the ballpark impressed by the LSU legend’s showing was Houston Rockets star forward Kevin Durant. The NBA veteran posted his thoughts on the Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander while in attendance at the game.
“Paul Skenes is a dawg,” Durant posted on X.
Paul skenes is a dawg
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) March 10, 2026
Kevin Durant is in the building to watch some USA-Mexico WBC action 🔥
pic.twitter.com/YIisNBuH2H
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 10, 2026
Although Monday night was the first time Skenes pitched in the WBC, it was not his first time representing the United States in an official capacity. He played for the 12 and under national team in 2014 and was on the roster for the Collegiate National Team in 2021 and 2022. The pitcher originally attended the Air Force Academy from 2021 to 2022, with plans to serve in the military, before transferring to LSU to pursue a professional baseball career.
The decision paid off for the 23-year-old right-hander, as Skenes won the 2023 national championship at LSU and became the No. 1 overall draft pick in the same summer. The following summer, Skenes won the 2024 National League Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year honors. In 2025, he won the NL Cy Young Award. He is the first former LSU pitcher to win the Cy Young. He has been an all-star in both of his first two MLB seasons.
Durant is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in pro basketball history with two NBA Finals MVPs, 16 NBA All-Star appearances and four Olympic gold medals.