Durant has been wearing the No. 35 jersey since college, and this number has a special meaning

On July 28, Kevin Durant's figure wearing the No. 35 jersey has long become one of the most recognizable symbols on the NBA. Behind this number is a touching story, which not only carries Durant's eternal nostalgia for his mentor, but also witnesses his legendary journey from a college genius to an NBA superstar. In January 2005, Charles Craig, an assistant coach of the University of Texas basketball team, was unfortunately killed in a shooting at the age of 35. This coach, affectionately called "Big Chucky" by Durant, is one of the most important guides in Durant's basketball career. Coach Craig found Durant, who was only 8 years old in the AAU Amateur League in Sutra, Maryland, and coached him until he graduated from high school. During Durant's mother Wanda was busy making a living, Coach Craig often drove to pick up Durant for training, and even paid for him out of his own pocket to buy basketball equipment. Durant later recalled: "He was like my second father, without him, I would not be who I am today. "

When Durant entered the University of Texas, he chose the No. 35 jersey to commemorate Coach Craig. This decision is not a moment of impulse, but a thoughtful way of paying homage. Rick Barnes, head coach of the University of Texas men's basketball team, revealed: "Kevin came to me to talk about this matter. He said that he should keep the coach's spirit alive on the court forever." Durant, in college, created a brilliant record wearing the No. 35 jersey, averaged 25.8 points and 11.1 rebounds per game, making him the most dazzling star in the NCAA and also won him the 2007 Naismith Player of the Year honor. At the 2007 NBA Draft, Durant was selected by the Seattle Supersonics as the second place. Although the league stipulates that rookie jersey numbers need to be reapplied, Durant insists on continuing the tradition of No. 35. Sam Presti, then general manager of the Supersonics, recalled: "Kevin was very determined. He said that if he couldn't wear No. 35, he would rather not sign the contract. "The league finally approved this request, and No. 35 became Durant's NBA symbol from then on.

Durant played No. 35 to the extreme during the Thunder. In the 2013-14 season, he averaged 32 points, 7.4 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game in this jersey, and was awarded the regular season MVP. In his touching award-winning speech, he specifically mentioned: "This number reminds me not to forget where I come from, and not to forget those who have helped me." In the classic battle against the Warriors in the 2016 Western Conference Finals, Durant played one of his professional masterpieces under the witness of the No. 35 jersey, averaging 30 points and 8 rebounds in the series.

After joining the Golden State Warriors in 2016, Durant faced a difficult choice: the Warriors' No. 35 jersey already belongs to forward Kevin Looney. Unexpectedly, Looney offered to give in: "When I heard the story of KD, I immediately decided to change the number. No. 35 means a lot to him, but it is just a number to me." This move moved Durant, and he choked up several times at the press conference. During the Warriors era, Durant won the championship twice in the No. 35 jersey and was elected as FMVP twice, pushing the legend of this number to a new height.

When he switched to the Nets in 2019, Durant faced the number problem again - the Nets' No. 35 belongs to forward Russell Westbrook's friend Carris Leville. This time Durant chose to make concessions and changed to wear the No. 7 jersey. He explained in the interview: "I am forever grateful for all the memories that No. 35 has brought me, but life needs to look forward." However, after being traded to the Phoenix Sun in 2023, Durant was surprised to find No. 35 available and immediately applied to re-activate this number that means great significance to him.

35 is not only the number on Durant's jersey, but also deeply integrated into his business territory. His company is called "Thirty Five Ventures", and the logo of its media platform "Boardroom" is also cleverly incorporated into its 35 elements. Durant said: "This number has become a part of my life, and it reminds me to help the next generation of players like Coach Craig. "

In basketball culture, jersey numbers often carry meanings beyond the numbers themselves. Michael Jordan's No. 23, Kobe's No. 24, and James' No. 6 have all become legendary symbols. Durant's No. 35 is the same, which records the extraordinary journey of a slum boy growing into a superstar under the guidance of his mentor. As Durant himself said: "Whenever I put on the No. 35 jersey, I feel like Coach Craig is standing behind me. This number will accompany me throughout my career until the last game.