OF THE YEAR
2007-2008
2013-2014
GOLD MEDAL
in 2012
SUPERMAN.
to accentuate a player's skill and dominance.
spotlight glaring and the lure of unbridled egotism strong.
Oklahoma City Thunder, has been
tagged with nicknames like the
Slim Reaper, Kid Clutch and Du-
rantula. Paradoxically, the 6-foot-
10 sharpshooter, who has already
prefers Servant as his handle.
While he knows full well that en-
ticements to be self-serving abound
for professional athletes, he prefers
to model himself after Jesus Christ.
comes in contact with first. Why?
The basketball player finds ample
reason in the Bible he carries with
him in his backpack and reads
often, such as the verse "You know
the generous grace of our Lord
Jesus Christ. Though He was rich,
yet for your sakes He became poor,
so that by His poverty He could
make you rich" (2 Corinthians 8:9).
His grace, not my good works, are
what saves me. That humbles me
and makes me worship Him," he says.
Seattle Supersonics drafted him
after his first year at the Univer-
sity of Texas, he was named NBA
Rookie of the Year in 2007, break-
ing a 40-year rookie record by aver-
aging 20.3 points per game in the
process. When the Supersonics
moved to Oklahoma City, Durant
played in his first All-Star game in
2010 and led his team to the second
round of playoffs, leading the NBA in
scoring with 30.1 points per game. At
21, he was the league's youngest
scoring champion ever. He has led
the league three times as NBA
scoring champion, only the eighth
player in NBA history to do so.
key, leading the United States to
its first FIBA World Championship
since 1994. And he was on the U.S.