croco

Longhorns plan to retire Durant's No. 35 jersey

By Darnell Mayberry
Staff Writer

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.

http://newsok.com/longhorns-plan-to-...?tm=1216443252

croco

Was more a question of when rather than if they would retire it.

afobisme

retire a jersey after he played for you for 1 season? quite odd. he's not even that good either.

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croco

He was spectacular in college.

Pimped Out

I heard them arguing that on ESPN the other day too. The longhorns retire the jersey of anyone who wins player of the year.

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Futurama_Fanatic

he didn't even stay all 4 years... strange

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LionOfJudah

Easy to spot someone who's full of ship when they say something like this.


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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rocketeer

neither did tj ford. really not all that strange. national player of the year = jersey retired at texas.

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Rodney Rogers!!!!!

Pimped Out

btw, i'm glad football retired #10.

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rocketeer

there was really no question about that happening though. best college football player of all time better get his jersey retired.

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Rodney Rogers!!!!!

Pimped Out

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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LionOfJudah

No one making a case for em like the others?

Good question tho.

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