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KD

LongfellowDrew

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Dec 5, 2008
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http://www.chron.com/sports/longhor...es-3-million-University-of-Texas-12473405.php

Former University of Texas star and 2007 consensus National Player of the Year Kevin Durant is donating $3 million to the Longhorns to support Texas Basketball and the Center for Sports Leadership and Innovation. Durant's donation is the largest outright gift by a former Texas basketball player and among the largest gifts ever by any professional athlete to his college.

Of the $3 million donation, $2.5 million will go to the Texas basketball program, and the main entrance to the Denton A. Cooley Pavilion - the Texas basketball practice center - will be renamed The Kevin Durant Texas Basketball Center. The men's basketball facilities also will be named The Kevin Durant Basketball Facility for Men.


"My time as a Longhorn helped build the foundation for who I am today as a player and a person, and the UT team will always be my family," Durant said. "It's important to me to continue to give back to The University and ensure that future student-athletes have all the opportunities they need to succeed. It's an honor to have such a close and unique relationship with Texas basketball, and I'm grateful to be able to contribute."


Durant's gift already has funded substantial facility improvements in Cooley Pavilion, highlighted by the renovation of the men's and women's basketball locker rooms, resurfacing of both the men's and women's basketball practice courts, installation of graphics in the men's practice areas, audio improvements and the creation of formal office space in Cooley Pavilion.

"Kevin Durant is one of the greatest basketball players in the world, and he is also a Longhorn," UT-Austin President Gregory L. Fenves said. "As an NBA All-Star, as a gold medalist, as an NBA MVP and now, as an NBA champion, KD has always had a powerful connection to The University of Texas. I am grateful for his generosity and investment in the future of UT's student-athletes."


UT's Center for Sports Leadership and Innovation (CSLi) will receive $500,000 from Durant. CSLi launched three years ago with a mission to cultivate the character development, leadership skills and long-term welfare of athletes and coaches. Daron K. Roberts, a former NFL and college coach, serves as founding director of CSLi, which is the first university-based institute dedicated to developing leadership and character curricula for high school and collegiate athletes.
 
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I had the pleasure to be a student during Durant's one year. We would chant "3 more years" at games.

He has been a great Texas Ambassador and has given a lot to the program even though he was only around for 1 year.
 
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