Durant only spent one season in Austin, but man, oh man, was it memorable. He averaged 25 points and 11 rebounds a game for a 25-win Texas team and became the first freshman to win the Wooden Award, Naismith Award, and the Associated Press National Player of the Year.
Durant's Texas legacy still looms large
Almost two decades later, his name still carries tremendous weight on campus. His jersey hangs in the rafters, every generation of Texas recruits knows his name, and his connection to the program remains strong.
KD's connection to Austin isn't just nostalgia
Durant's ties to Austin go beyond his college days. He was part of an investor group seeking to bring a WNBA expansion team to Austin. And while recent reports suggest the league has chosen Cleveland as its next expansion location, he has remained steadfast in his desire to bring a professional sports franchise to Austin.
Speaking to reporters ahead of a February matchup between the Spurs and Suns at the Moody Center in Austin, TX, Durant said:
"I don't think we'll stop trying to bring that here to Austin. We'll have to see how it goes in the future, but I hope that there will be a professional basketball team here at some point."Kevin Durant
He also made it clear he sees the city as a viable basketball market:
"It's a basketball city. We've always had major, major support here for women's basketball...All down the line, I just think the city is primed for basketball, especially women's basketball at the highest level."Kevin Durant
Durant's involvement is more than symbolic. His interest in Austin as a sports destination reflects a long-term vision that goes well beyond the jersey he wore once upon a time. This isn't a stroll down memory lane–it looks like a desire to help build something new.
Texas basketball has room for Kevin Durant
The NCAA is changing. It is unrecognizable from years past. Between the rise of NIL, conference realignment, free agency (otherwise known as the transfer portal), and programs implementing NBA-style front offices, the line between college and professional basketball has never been thinner.
Teams will not be looked at sideways for bringing in former players to help shape the future of their programs–Steph Curry and Trae Young are serving as assistant GMs with Davidson and Oklahoma, respectively. At Texas, the men's basketball program has been spinning its wheels, and a voice and presence like Durant's would carry serious weight.
He doesn't need to coach. He doesn't need to grind film with coaches or break down game tape with the team. But in a world where perception, culture, and branding matter as much as recruiting rankings, Durant could have an outsized impact simply by being in the room. Whether it's serving as an ambassador, a front-office mind, or something completely new, the University of Texas could be a perfect place for him to plant his flag after his playing career is over.
Could Durant's future lead back to Austin?
Durant hasn't said a thing about joining Texas in any capacity. This is all purely speculative. But if you zoom out and consider the different factors–the changes to the NCAA, his growing interest in bringing professional sports to Austin, and his ties to the university–the idea isn't THAT far-fetched.
With the men's program still searching for consistency on the national stage (our women are crushing it), Durant's presence as a program legend could be a game-changer. He wouldn't need to coach or even actively recruit–just being there, lending his voice and vision, could reorient the program's trajectory.
For Texas fans, the idea of KD coming full circle–returning not just in legacy, but in presence–is worth keeping an eye on.