12B SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11, 2007
NBA DRAFT
Durant leaves Longhorns
Player of the Year puts college behind him for pro career
BY JIM VERTUNO ASSOCIATED PRESS
AUSTIN, Texas — Kevin Durant is done with college.
Durant, an 18-year-old Texas freshman and The Associated Press Player of the Year, said Tuesday he was leaving the Longhorns to enter the NBA draft.
"I enjoyed my year here at Texas," Durant said in a statement released before his news conference. "All the fans and everyone here at Texas made me feel right at home, considering I was so far from home. I will always be a Longhorn and never forget what the people of Texas have done for me."
After an All-American season in which he swept the major player of the year awards, few expected
Durant to play another season in college.
Now the question is whether he'll be the first pick of the June 28 draft. Durant and Ohio State's freshman center Greg Oden — who has not yet said if he'll leave college — are considered the likely first two picks.
"He made history," Texas coach Rick Barnes said Monday night at the team banquet. "No one's done what he did this year. He swept every major award as a freshman. It's a year we may not ever see again by anybody. It's remarkable."
Players have until April 29 to declare for the June 28 draft in New York.
Durant, the Big 12 player and freshman of the year, shot 47 percent from the field. 40 percent from three-point range and 82 percent
from the foul line. He averaged 36 minutes and also led the Longhorns in steals and blocks. He had 20 double-doubles and scored at least 30 points a Big 12-record 11 times.
He averaged 25.8 points and 11.1 rebounds - one of three players in the country to average more than 20 points and 10 rebounds.
He led Texas, which started four freshmen, to a third-place finish in the Big 12 and to the second round of the NCAA tournament, where the Longhorns lost to Southern California. The Longhorns finished 25-10.
Durant is the fourth Longhorn in two years to leave early. P.J. Tucker, LaMarcus Aldridge and Daniel Gibson all entered the 2006 draft after leading Texas within a game of the Final Four.
Texas forward Kevin Durant officially announced Tuesday that he would enter the NBA draft. Durant was selected Friday as The Associated Press' college basketball player of the year, the first freshman to receive the honor.
Eric Gay/ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tradition Keepers Appreciation Day
Thursday,April 12 Adams Alumni Center 1266 Oread Ave. 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Attention current 2006-07 members! Join us for Tradition Keepers Appreciation Day at the Alumni Center. Wear your current TK shirt or show your membership card to receive a free hot dog and soft drink!
Stop by to learn how you could get $20 from the KU Credit Union! Renew or join for 2007-08 school year, and receive a free KU coffee mug too!
www.kualumni.org
CONGRATULATIONS KANSAN ADDIES! 2007 CNBAM BUSINESS AND ADVERTISING STUDENT STAFF OF THE YEAR
WHAT IS CNBAM?
CNBAM is the largest student advertising association in the country, with more than 120 college newspapers as members.
WHAT IS CNBAM?
AWARDS IN:
Awards in:
Best Display Ad [Color]
Best Promotion Ad [Black & White]
Best Online Promotion Ad
Best Online Display Ad
Best Classified Group Promotion
Best Sales Incentive
Best Newspaper Marketing Plan
Best Special Section [Sex On The Hill]
Business Manager of the Year [Kyle Hoedl]
Designer of the Year [Ryan Berg]
JOIN A WINNING TEAM WORK FOR THE BEST IN THE NATION!
The Kansan advertising staff is now hiring for the summer and fall. Come to one of our informational meetings on Monday April 16 or Tuesday April 17 at 7 p.m. Room 204 Stauffer-Flint to learn more!
NICK
FRIDAY, APRIL 13
$5 DONATION AT THE DOOR 18 AND UP | 8PM THE GRANADA
EVENT SPONSORED BY
WITH SPECIAL GUESTS
SERRANO & DJ KEEF
THE COLD HARD FACTS:
THIS YEAR IN THE UNITED STATES
...more than half a million people will die of cancer
...more than 1.4 million people will be diagnosed with cancer
...1 in 2 males and 1 in 3 females will develop cancer during their lifetimes
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FOR MORE INFO VISIT CRUXCREW.COM
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