Kevin Durant has ascended to the top of the U.S. Olympic basketball scoring mountain. During the quarterfinal game against Brazil, Durant surpassed Lisa Leslie’s long-standing record, becoming the all-time leading scorer in Olympic competition. With a basket in the third quarter, Durant reached 489 points across his four Olympic appearances, surpassing Leslie’s 488 points. He finished the game with 11 points, bringing his total to 494 and counting.
Durant’s focus remains firmly on winning another gold medal, a feat that would make him the first men’s player in Olympic history with four gold medals. He’s already a part of the victorious teams from London 2012, Rio de Janeiro 2016, and the Tokyo Games held three years ago.
When asked about his longevity in the game, Durant credits his dedication to training, staying in top shape, and spending countless hours in the gym. He’s the No. 8 scorer in NBA history with 28,924 points, trailing only LeBron James (40,474) on the active list.
Durant’s accomplishment has drawn praise from Leslie herself, who expressed her excitement on social media. She acknowledged Durant’s dominance as “The Slim Reaper” and one of her all-time favorite players.
The record is likely to stand for some time, as Durant is one of only five U.S. players with over 300 points in Olympic competition, alongside Leslie, Diana Taurasi (416), Carmelo Anthony (336), and LeBron James (316).
Durant’s contributions extend beyond scoring. He’s also the U.S. career leader in rebounds in Olympic play, having surpassed Anthony and David Robinson in the group-stage finale against Puerto Rico. However, Leslie holds the overall record with 241 rebounds across her 32 Olympic games.
Durant’s efficiency on the court has earned him recognition from his teammates. Phoenix Suns teammate Devin Booker described him as “one of the most efficient players that ever played this game.”
As Durant continues his journey towards a fourth Olympic gold, his historic achievement serves as a testament to his exceptional talent, dedication, and enduring legacy in basketball.
