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Houston Rockets
Aug 7, 2025 10:04 AM EDT
Kevin Durant has a storied NBA career with a pair of titles and an MVP trophy on his resume, but his international career might be even more accomplished.
The Houston Rockets star is one of the all-time scoring leaders in Olympics history, scoring 518 career points as he led the U.S. men’s team to four gold medals. The latest one came in 2024, when he came off the bench to navigate the team through a difficult field including loaded teams from Serbia and France.
Olympic teammate Derrick White, the Boston Celtics star, said he watched in amazement as the 36-year-old veteran scored at will from the floor.
“Olympic KD is so cold,” White said on the “White Noise Podcast.” “Before, I told people — imagine running as fast as you can, jumping as high as you can, reaching as high as possible, and not being close to the ball. That’s every KD jumper. I’ve always wanted to block his shot — never have.”
FRA: United States Stephen Curry (4), LeBron James (6), and Kevin Durant (7) celebrate with their gold medals on the podium after defeating France in the men's basketball gold medal game during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Accor Arena.
FRA: United States Stephen Curry (4), LeBron James (6), and Kevin Durant (7) celebrate with their gold medals on the podium after defeating France in the men’s basketball gold medal game during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Accor Arena. — Source: © Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports
White noted that Durant was nursing an injury as the Summer Games started but it didn’t slow him at all.
“At the Olympics, he was hurt at first, rehabbing,” White said. “Practiced the day before the Serbia game, knocking off rust. Then comes in as sixth man KD — unbelievable. Hit a fall-away at the halftime buzzer — I told him, you’re one of the coldest ever. In close games, we’d just give KD the ball up top — whatever shot he wants. He’s a hooper 24/7.”
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Nathan Dougherty