Kevin Durant, the Phoenix Suns star, is set to make a highly anticipated return to the University of Texas campus next season to face the San Antonio Spurs on Feb. 20, 2025. Durant had a remarkable stint with the Texas Longhorns during the 2006-07 season, where he showcased his exceptional talent by averaging 25.8 points and 11.1 rebounds per game.
During his time with the Longhorns, Durant received several accolades, including AP and Big 12 Player of the Year honors, as well as being named a Naismith Trophy winner. Notably, he was the first freshman to ever win the prestigious award, solidifying his place in college basketball history.
The upcoming game between Durant's Suns and the Spurs will take place at the Moody Center, the newly opened arena for the Longhorns that began hosting games in April 2022. This state-of-the-art facility serves as the home court for both the men's and women's basketball teams at the University of Texas.
Prior to the Moody Center, Texas played its home games at the Frank Erwin Center, a venue constructed in 1977 that was eventually demolished in May 2024. In recognition of Durant's impact on the program, the Longhorns named their men's basketball facility and the main entrance to the Denton A. Cooley Pavilion after him following a generous $3 million contribution he made in 2017.
Furthermore, Durant's legacy at Texas was further immortalized when the school retired his No. 35 jersey in 2008 and inducted him into its hall of honor in 2022, cementing his status as one of the all-time greats to don the Longhorns' uniform.
As for the Spurs, they have become familiar with the Moody Center, having played two games at the arena in each of the previous two seasons since its opening. Their upcoming matchup against the Detroit Pistons will mark their second game at the state-of-the-art facility this season, adding to the growing legacy of the Moody Center as a premier basketball venue.
