In a stunning display of basketball greatness, Kevin Durant, born on September 29, 1988, has solidified his place as one of the all-time scoring legends in the NBA. Standing at 6-foot-11, Durant possesses a feathery jump shot and guard-like skills that have propelled him to become the league’s eighth all-time leading scorer with 28,924 points. His scoring average of 27.3 points per game is a testament to his ability to score from all three levels of the court with ease.
Drafted second overall in the 2007 NBA Draft, Durant began his professional career with the Seattle SuperSonics, winning Rookie of the Year in his debut season. After the team moved to Oklahoma City, Durant led the Thunder to the NBA Finals in 2012, where he showcased his MVP-caliber skills. With four scoring titles under his belt, Durant has consistently proven himself as a scoring machine.
As Durant embarks on his 17th NBA season in 2024-25 with the Phoenix Suns, he is on the verge of joining the elite 30,000 career points club, needing only 1,076 more points to achieve this milestone. A 14-time All-Star, Durant has been a dominant force on the court, earning multiple All-NBA Team selections and boasting a 50-40-90 shooting percentage. His accolades extend beyond the NBA court, as he has also excelled in international play with USA Basketball, winning four Olympic Gold Medals and earning MVP honors in the 2020 Tokyo Games.
On the same day, September 29, another basketball star was born – Hersey Hawkins in 1966. Known for his impressive scoring ability, Hawkins led the nation in scoring during his college days at Bradley University. Drafted sixth overall in the 1988 NBA Draft by the LA Clippers, Hawkins made a name for himself in the league, earning All-Star honors and showcasing his scoring prowess with multiple teams.
Chuck Cooper, born on September 29, 1926, made history as the first African-American player to be drafted by an NBA team when the Boston Celtics selected him in the 1950 NBA Draft. Alongside other trailblazers like Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton and Earl Lloyd, Cooper broke the color barrier in the NBA, paving the way for future generations of players. His contributions to the game were recognized posthumously with his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019.
The legacy of these basketball icons born on September 29 continues to inspire countless fans and aspiring players around the world. As their stories intertwine with the rich tapestry of NBA history, their impact on the game remains indelible.
