Brief Introduction: Welcome to our comprehensive exploration of an amusing tale that has stirred the NBA world – the height saga of NBA superstar Kevin Durant. Often the subject of playful debates and internet speculation, Durant’s stature presents an intriguing narrative unlike any other in the sport’s history.
Join us as we delve deep into this interesting anecdote, separating fact from fiction.
Unveiling Kevin Durant’s Real Stature
When it comes to the topic of NBA superstar Kevin Durant’s stature, an amusing narrative unfolds, steeped in inconsistency and understatement, rather than the typical overstatement of size. So, what is the reality behind Durant’s height?
- The officially recorded stature of Kevin Durant stands at an impressive 6’11” (2.11 meters) when barefoot and a full 7′ (2.13 meters) when sporting shoes;
- These figures were obtained during the NBA’s meticulous pre-draft assessment, resulting in his remarkable second overall pick in the 2007 NBA draft.
Continue delving into this intriguing account as we explore why KD understated his stature and how the truth was eventually brought to light by the persistent and inquisitive online community.
Tracing the Early Journey of Kevin Durant & His Growth Spurt
Kevin Wayne Durant, born in the heart of Washington, D.C. on the 29th of September, 1988, holds his mother, Wanda Durant, as the true hero of his life.
Renowned as the “real MVP” of Durant’s journey, she stepped up when Durant’s father, Wayne Pratt, exited their lives early on. Pratt later re-established his connection with Durant, accompanying him to various sports tournaments when Durant was around the age of 13.
Durant’s considerable size was evident from an early age. He stood an astounding 6 ft (1.83 meters) tall during his middle school days. Raised in Prince George’s County, Maryland, Durant participated in multiple AAU teams within the region, joining forces with future NBA talents including Michael Beasley, Greivis Vasquez, and Ty Lawson. Durant’s preference for jersey number 35 during his AAU tenure was a tribute to his coach Charles Craig, who tragically lost his life at that age.
By the commencement of his senior year at Montrose Christian School, Durant’s growth spurt continued, hitting 6 ft 7 in (2.01 meters). Following graduation, Durant joined the University of Texas but admitted he would have opted for the NBA directly if it were permitted. Durant, measured at 6 ft 10 in (2.08m) during his selection as the 2nd overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft.
However, as Durant’s career advanced, his claimed height of 6 ft 9 in stirred doubts among fans, especially as images surfaced of him outdoing players over 7 ft. This sparked a wave of curiosity among followers and prompted a quest to uncover if Durant had been understating his actual height.
Is Kevin Durant Misrepresenting His Actual Stature?
Upon his entry into the league, Durant openly declared himself as 6’9″. While his fans were skeptical about this claim, it was challenging for anyone to accurately measure him in person. Opinions regarding his height varied dramatically, ranging from 6’9″ to towering 7’2″.
However, a single photograph eventually offered undeniable proof that Durant was understating his stature:
- In the image captured during the Olympic team photo session, Durant is seen standing alongside DeMarcus Cousins and DeAndre Jordan;
- Interestingly, despite both Cousins and Jordan being officially listed as 6’11”, Durant appears to surpass them by about an inch;
- Given that both DeAndre Jordan and DeMarcus Cousins stand at an officially listed 6’11”, Durant clearly outmatches them by almost a full inch in the image.
This strongly contradicts the 6’9″ stature he claimed during the early phase of his career.
Exploring Why Kevin Durant Misrepresented His Stature
While it’s typical for players to exaggerate their height by a couple of inches, Durant chose the unconventional path of downplaying his height. So, what prompted this unusual behavior?
- Durant’s decision to understate his stature was influenced by his fear of being positioned as a center, which would have curtailed his opportunity to play on the perimeter, limiting his overall game performance. Imagine the fate of Durant’s career if he was relegated to honing his post-up moves rather than his shooting skills and ball handling;
- Upon being drafted, Durant intentionally misled teams about his stature, asserting his identity as a perimeter player and rejecting the possibility of being assigned as a forward in the post.
Did this ploy pay off? Absolutely! Not only has Durant carved a niche as one of the most prolific scorers and a top-15 player in history, but he was also initially designated as a shooting guard during his inaugural year in Seattle.
Instead of Conclusion: Updated League Regulations for Height Listing
In 2019, the league revised its policies, mandating stricter adherence to accurate height measurements among players. The new rules abolished the practice of players overstating or understating their actual height for personal reasons.
All players were then measured for their height without shoes, leading to Durant’s official stature being declared as slightly under 6’11” (2.10 meters). Other significant alterations included Tacko Fall’s height being revised to 7’5″ from the previously claimed 7’7″, and Boban Marjanovic’s stature being increased from 7’2″ to 7’3″.