The Las Vegas Summer League was the platform for the most coveted rookies to showcase their talents. A chance to prove they can hang with basketball’s biggest stars. Victor Wembanyama, Scoot Henderson, the Thompson twins, and more took their first steps, a dip in the NBA pool. Before them, the other greats of the game did the same. Today marks the 16th anniversary of Kevin Durant turning the Summer League into his own personal playground.

The Slim Reaper was introduced to the NBA crowd. A typical scoring masterclass followed. But KD remembers the more wild details from the vintage days.

Kevin Durant remembers the moments before his Summer League mastery

Do you remember a 17-year-old Kobe Bryant slashing through the competition? LeBron James living up to his ‘Chosen One’ hype? Those were the first moments some of the legends showed their potential in the Summer League. Kevin Durant was no different. As the second overall pick in 2007, the wind was full of propaganda. How would the Texas 6’10” forward do? While KD displayed his generational arsenal, he didn’t have the most efficient tournament.

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He was still able to score averaging 24 points according to Sporting News. But it lacked his now-renowned consistency, shooting just 33%. In his most anticipated match-up against Greg Oden, Kevin Durant had a dreadful shooting night making just five of his 17 attempts.

However, there was one game. The night where the Reaper struck the Utah Jazz. He dropped 29 points. The upside was evident, albeit his unusual inefficiency. Yet, KD’s night began in the most unexpected ways. He saw a fan violently strike a police officer.

“I remember watching a fan knock a police officer out as soon as I walked off the bus to go into the gym, time flies,” he wrote on Twitter.

Well, it was the only lowlight of Durant’s rookie year. As he progressed into the NBA, he averaged 20 points playing 80 games. The Slim Reaper beat out Oden to win Rookie of The Year honors. Additionally, it showed a glimpse of what would follow – a transcending offensive ‘killer’ who at 7 feet could move like a guard.

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Today, he is a four-time scoring champion, a two-time NBA champion, an MVP, and arguably one of the greatest talents to ever grace the game. Countless ankle breakers, thunderous dunks, and magical handles all combine to form the one-of-a-kind icon that is Kevin Durant.

Fans may fight to watch him play, but today it’s only through a bidding war for tickets.