Did you know Kevin Durant desires something greater than a gold medal at the Summer Olympics? This question may seem odd to basketball fans who know Team USA is preparing for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Of course, Kevin Durant wants to add another gold medal to his list of accolades. However, he desires something much greater.
Who is Kevin Durant?
Background
Before discussing Kevin Durant’s greatest desire, I want to share some interesting facts you may not know about him.
Kevin Wayne Durant was born on September 29, 1988, and is a native of Suitland, Maryland. He is the Son of Wayne and Wanda Pratt. However, he spent his adolescent years with his mother and Grandmother Barbara Davis. Durant has one sister (Briana) and two brothers (Anthony and Rayvonne).
Some interesting facts about Durant a
- His nickname is K-Smoove.
- He loves crabs.
- He loves peanut butter and made a shoe inspired by peanut butter & jelly.
- His favorite shoe brand is Nike.
- Two of his hobbies are photography and music.
- One of his favorite books is The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein.
- He has fifteen tattoos (including scriptures and his grandmother’s house on his back.
Many of those tattoos pay homage to his religious beliefs as a Christian. However, whether he has a tattoo of his favorite Bible verse Jeremiah 29:11 is unclear.
Jeremiah 29:11 declares, “for I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (New King James Version).
High School and College Accolades
God’s thoughts about Durant’s future as a basketball legend began to manifest while he was in high school. Durant attended high school in Oak Hill Academy in Virginia and Montrose Christian in Rockville, Maryland.
He played a single season for each institution during his last two high school years. His presence was impactful as he helped both schools rank as the top three high school basketball programs in America.
2006 was a significant year for Durant getting recognized as a great hooper. He was named MVP of the Jordan All-American Classic in New York City and Co-MVP for the McDonald’s All-American game.
After high school, Durant played one season at the University of Texas (UT). While there he earned consensus national player of the year honors prompting UT to retire his jersey.
He is the first UT player to be the number one pick in the 2007 NBA draft by the Seattle Supersonics. (The Seattle Supersonics relocated in 2008 and are now the Oklahoma City Thunder).
NBA and International Notables
Since being drafted by the Supersonics, Durant has accomplished many great feats during his seventeen-year career thus far. I will include seven notable accolades from both the NBA and international competitions.
Kevin Durant is a
- Four-time Olympic Games participant (official on 7/28/24)
- Three-time Olympic Gold Medalist and 2020 Olympic MVP.
- Three-time USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year.
- Two-time NBA champion and Finals MVP with the Golden State Warriors (2017-2018).
- 2010 FIBA World Champion and MVP.
- Current Olympic record holder for the most points, field goals, free throws, and three-pointers.
- Record holder as one of eight players in NBA history to earn three straight scoring titles.
What is Kevin Durant’s Greatest Desire?
One Revealing Quote
While Kevin Durant is grateful for all he has accomplished throughout his career, these accomplishments do not satisfy his soul. He has lived long enough to experience the truth of Ecclesiastes 4:4 which says accomplishments apart from one source are meaningless.
The source of Durant’s greatest desire comes from a statement he made one summer while playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
“I just want to grow spiritually with the Lord and get to know Him as well as I can. I’m keepin’ strong at it, just tryin’ to make my walk of faith a little better.” This quote shows Durant’s greatest desire, which is to grow closer to the Lord. This is a wonderful want since Hebrews 11:6 promises God rewards believers who diligently seek him.
Matthew 5:6 also says those who hunger and thirst after righteousness will be filled. Since Durant strives to please the Lord, God is stirring up his willingness to live a life of obedience.
Kevin Durant’s Faith Statement
Durant strives to model a life of obedience through his faith statement. “I believe God’s love for me, the sacrificial death of Jesus for my sins, and His grace, not my good works, are what saves me.”
Durant knows Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation and is not ashamed to share this Gospel with the world (John 14:6; Romans 1:16). Durant professes his faith through interviews, blog posts, and wearing an ibelieve band on his left wrist.
By declaring his faith through these platforms, Durant is spreading the Gospel to millions of people he may never meet face to face. Durant’s courageousness inspires me to be more vocal about my faith in a world where many reject the Gospel’s truth.
A Writer’s Advice to a Legend
Continue Displaying Great Character
In addition to being vocal about Christian beliefs, I encourage Durant to continue displaying great character. One way he does this is by consistently honoring his mother.
He credits her for making sacrifices to help him become successful. He also mentions how she taught him to believe, never quit and keep growing. This motherly wisdom is probably what inspires him to draw closer to God.
Durant has also shown great character by striving to walk in humility. He did this when choosing to forgive a fan after a verbal altercation instead of having security eject him.
Durant also practiced humility in his willingness to reconcile with former team Draymond Green. These examples show Durant doesn’t let his success lead to arrogant behavior.
Trust God to Strengthen Your Weaknesses
Another way Durant displays good character is by being transparent about his flaws. He is not afraid to let his emotions show in the heat of battle or use profanity in conversation.
While his transparency is refreshing, letting emotions lead to anger and cursing can cause others to think negatively about Christians. Thankfully, God’s grace is sufficient and his power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Durant can overcome these weaknesses by confessing them to the Lord like the Prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 6:5). He can also meditate on verses like Ephesians 4:26-27 and Psalm 19:14 that address anger and speech.
Doing so will allow God to transform his mindset and bring him forth as pure God (Job 23:10). Meditating on scripture will also allow Durant to find satisfaction in God’s commands which are better than silver and gold (Psalm 119:72).
Learn & Grow With Believing Teammates
Winning another gold medal at the Olympics requires Durant to depend on the help of his teammates. Likewise, for Durant not to grow stagnant in his faith, he must rely on the support of fellow believers.
He can do that during the Olympics through fellowship with players like Jrue Holiday who are serious about their faith. Doing so will allow iron to sharpen iron and help each learn more about God in an unfamiliar setting.
Connecting with believers may also spark a revival among nonbelievers as God uses them as lights in a dark place (Matthew 5:14).
Has Kevin Durant’s desire for God inspired you? Do you know other Olympic athletes who strive to glory God with their lives? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Your feedback is greatly appreciated
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