VITALS: 6-9, 225, Texas OVERVIEW: Quickly establishing himself as one of the top scoring threats in college basketball, Durant became the first freshman in NCAA history to receive both the coveted Naismith and Wooden Awards. Ranked fourth in the nation in scoring (25.8 ppg). Led the Big 12 Conference in scoring, rebounding (11.1 rpg) and blocks (1.9 bpg). Named the Big 12 Player of the Year and earned all-conference first-team and All-Defensive Team honors. Set school record and Big 12 record for most points in a season with 903. Also set school single-season mark in rebounds with 390. Averaged 28.9 points and 12.5 rebounds in conference play, both Big 12 single-season records. Scored a career-high 37 points on four different occasions, including a game against Texas Tech when he also had a career-best 23 rebounds. Became first player on a losing team to be named the Big 12 Tournament MVP, after scoring 37 points, grabbing 10 rebounds and setting career highs in both assists (6) and blocks (6) vs. Kansas. Set league tournament record with 92 total points scored. LIKELY DRAFT POSITION: Second overall selection. COMPARATIVE UPSIDE: Rashard Lewis COMPARATIVE DOWNSIDE: Jonathan Bender ROLE PROJECTION: Scoring small forward. POSITIVES: Unlike most players who come into the NBA with certain spots from where they like to shoot, Durant seems to be able to make shots from anywhere on the court. He has a stable, consistent release and his shot looks the same whether he is shooting a 10-footer or a 20-footer. He has uncommon agility for his height and he is so rangy it appears he can get to the basket from anywhere over half-court in two dribbles. Durant is a confident ball-handler and can be very aggressive in taking the ball to the hoop. He is a terrific foul shooter and an excellent rebounder. SHORTCOMINGS: It's been well-documented that Durant failed to bench press 185 pounds even once at the NBA Pre-Draft Camp. Considering he doesn't turn 19 years old until NBA training camps open in the fall, this isn't much of a concern. He'll add strength both naturally as his body matures and as a result of working with NBA strength and conditioning coaches. The only concern about Durant is that his NBA coach will want to play his developing body too many minutes right from the start, and he could break down over a long season. A judicious coach would play him about 28 minutes per game as a rookie.
