Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant is widely regarded as one of the greatest one-on-one players in NBA history, as well as one of the most prolific scorers the game has ever seen. But where does that elite talent come from? As with many great athletes, the foundation was built at home.
After dismantling one of the league’s top defenses, the Cleveland Cavaliers, on Friday night, Durant was asked in the postgame press conference about his earliest basketball memories. One hilarious moment with his father quickly took center stage.
“I was in seventh grade. I was 11 years old, in the driveway. After he scored the final point, I locked him out of the house. That was the last time. 20-something years ago,” Durant recalled with a smile. That anecdote perfectly illustrates the level of competitiveness that has fueled Durant throughout his career.
A born competitor
Durant’s father may not have realized it at the time, but the kid he beat in the driveway that day would go on to become one of the most prolific scorers in basketball history. From his early years in Maryland to his standout season at Texas and into his legendary NBA career, Durant has embodied the mindset of a player relentlessly refining his craft.
Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors stands with his father Wayne Pratt and poses with his new jersey during the press conference where Durant was introduced as a member of the Golden State Warriors
His dominance in one-on-one situations isn’t just about skill—it’s about mentality. Whether he was facing off against his father in the driveway or going up against the best defenders in NBA history, Durant has always approached the game with the same fire: every matchup is personal, every possession an opportunity to prove himself.
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A legacy built on relentless improvement
What seems like just another childhood memory actually speaks volumes about what separates great players from true legends. Many stars possess talent, but Durant‘s relentless desire to outwork, outscore, and outlast his competition is what has kept him at the top of the league for over a decade.
That moment in the driveway was just the beginning. His father may have won that day, but ever since, Durant has spent his career making sure no one—on any court, at any level—could ever do the same again.
