Kevin Durant believes playing for the national team offers an experience that goes beyond basketball, and he wants other players to understand the value of representing their country.
Speaking to The Athletic, Durant reflected on his time with Team USA and explained why he continues to embrace international basketball despite having already established himself as one of the greatest players in NBA history.
“It’s just fun, man,” Durant said. “It’s an incredible time. You get to travel the world. I don’t know if we’re gonna get to travel the world with it being in the States, but the last few years, we would go (to) Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Paris, London, Canary Islands, Madrid … being in places that changed not just my perspective about the game, just about life in general. I’ve been in places I’ve never even thought about being in if it wasn’t for the game. That experience is one of the best, man. I encourage everybody to play for their country.”
Durant has been one of the most accomplished players in USA Basketball history. He has represented the United States at four Olympic Games and won gold medals at each appearance, including the 2012, 2016, 2021 and 2024 Olympics.
His individual production has also been substantial. Durant averaged 19.5 points per game at the 2012 Olympics, 19.4 in 2016 and 20.7 in Tokyo in 2021. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, he averaged 13.8 points while shooting 54.0% from the field and 51.9% from three-point range.
Former Team USA coach Gregg Popovich summarized Durant’s importance during the Tokyo Games with a simple statement: “No Kevin, no gold.”
Durant has also credited his Team USA experiences and the coaching he received for helping bring him back to international competition.
“I’m humbled and honored to get that recognition,” Durant said. “So many great players have played. They probably didn’t play as long as me; that’s probably why I get that. I’ve been on four Olympic teams. We’ve won gold every time, so I’ve just been around. I show up.”
“I think that’s what my career has been based upon, just showing up and letting the chips fall where they may. … I experienced some great coaching with Team USA, and that’s really what brings me back.”
Durant also encouraged other NBA players to accept opportunities to represent their countries, pointing specifically to Bol Bol and South Sudan.
“Bol Bol had the chance to play for South Sudan, and I was encouraging him to do so,” Durant said. “I think he might have been injured, but I’m like, man, you need to go experience the Olympics. … Being able to play on that stage and see the pride that people have for where they come from, I think every player should experience that.”
Durant averaged 26.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 78 games for the Houston Rockets during the 2025-26 regular season, shooting 52.0% from the field and 41.3% from three-point range.
