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Analyst Names Kevin Durant the Best One-and-Done College Player Since 2006

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Alex O'Reilly | Last updated Jun 26, 2025 1:59 PM ET

vin Durant has had an incredible NBA career. He is viewed by most basketball experts as one of the 15 greatest players to ever play. However, before he was drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics, Durant played one season with the Texas Longhorns. He had a stellar season, averaging 25.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.9 blocks and 1.9 steals per game.

On Wednesday, Duke's Cooper Flagg was selected first in the 2025 NBA draft by the Dallas Mavericks. Flagg also only played one season of college before declaring for the draft. In the hours before the draft, analyst Mike Greenberg listed his five best one-and-done players since 2006, only factoring in their success in college. He had Kevin Durant at the top of the list.

Durant has gone on to be one of the most successful players in NBA history. He started his career in Seattle before the franchise moved to Oklahoma City in 2008. He then stayed with the Thunder until he signed with Golden State in 2016. He won two championships with them in 2017 and 2018.

Mike Greenberg included some other big stars on his list of the five best one-and-done players since 2006. He included Anthony Davis, Zion Williamson, Michael Beasley, and Kevin Love.

Cooper Flagg will now be trying to replicate the success of some of the great one-and-done players who have come before him.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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