Kevin Durant, the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year and foundation for Oklahoma City's NBA franchise, will have his No. 35 jersey retired at the University of Texas during the 2008-09 season, the school announced Friday.
Durant played one season for the Longhorns in 2006-07, sweeping seven national player of the year awards and becoming the first freshman named national player of the year. He ranked fourth in the nation in scoring (25.8 points) and rebounding (11.1) during his one season with the Longhorns.
"I'm completely humbled to have my jersey number retired,” Durant said in a statement. "Growing up, I never imagined I would be able to attend such a great university and be surrounded by so many great people who had such a positive influence on my development.
"I've never been one to pay attention to individual honors, as I take more pride in team success. But this is definitely an honor that really is special to me and my family. The University of Texas means so much to me.”
Durant will be one of nine former Longhorns to have their jerseys retired during the 2008-09 seasons. He'll be joined by Slater Martin (No. 15) in basketball, Vince Young (No. 10), Bobby Layne (No. 22) and Tommy Nobis (No. 60) in football and Burt Hooton (No. 20), Greg Swindell (No. 21), Brooks Kieschnick (No. 23) and Scott Bryant (No. 25) in baseball.
Durant and Martin will join T.J. Ford as the only players to have their basketball jerseys retired at UT. Ford's No. 11 jersey was retired in 2004 after he won national player of the year in 2003 and led the Longhorns to their first Final Four since 1947.
retire a jersey after he played for you for 1 season? quite odd. he's not even that good either.
Easy to spot someone who's full of ship when they say something like this.
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I heard them arguing that on ESPN the other day too. The longhorns retire the jersey of anyone who wins player of the year.
Exactly, it keeps kids wanting to come here with out scaring them away thinking they have to stay all 4 years to be appreciated by the University. Good recruiting move in this age of one and done basketball players and and 3 year football players.
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"That until the philosophy which holds one race superior and another inferior is finally and permanently
discredited and abandoned: That until there are no longer first-class and second class citizens of any nation;
That until the color of a man's skin is of no more significance than the color of his eyes;
That until the basic human rights are equally guaranteed to all without regard to race;
That until that day, the dream of lasting peace and world citizenship and the
rule of international morality will remain but a fleeting illusion, to be pursued but never attained.." ONE LOVE
there was really no question about that happening though. best college football player of all time better get his jersey retired.
I think before this, Ricky Williams and Earl Campbell were the only 2 football players to have their numbers retired. Since Vince didnt win the Heisman, there was some dispute over it. I think the decision to retire #10 directly impacted the decision to also retire Nobis and Layne's numbers.
edit:hmmm, why isnt cat osterman on the list
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I think before this, Ricky Williams and Earl Campbell were the only 2 football players to have their numbers retired. Since Vince didnt win the Heisman, there was some dispute over it. I think the decision to retire #10 directly impacted the decision to also retire Nobis and Layne's numbers.
edit:hmmm, why isnt cat osterman on the list
No one making a case for em like the others?
Good question tho.
__________________
"That until the philosophy which holds one race superior and another inferior is finally and permanently
discredited and abandoned: That until there are no longer first-class and second class citizens of any nation;
That until the color of a man's skin is of no more significance than the color of his eyes;
That until the basic human rights are equally guaranteed to all without regard to race;
That until that day, the dream of lasting peace and world citizenship and the
rule of international morality will remain but a fleeting illusion, to be pursued but never attained.." ONE LOVE
Longhorns to retire Durant's jersey
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