Kevin Durant raves about character of Rodney Terry, ability to lead Texas

Kevin Durant finds himself in a familiar city but different arena. Durant played his one season of college basketball at Texas but at the Frank Erwin Center. With the San Antonio Spurs returning to the state capital, Thursday’s game against the Phoenix Suns will be played at the brand-new Moody Center.

Being around the local media, Durant was asked about Rodney Terry. The Texas head coach is in his second full season in charge of the program, currently fighting to make the NCAA Tournament. Durant raved about Terry’s character.

“He’s a people person,” Durant said via On3’s Inside Texas. “He’s about building relationships not just with the player but with the family as well. For families to trust him to help lead their kids shows his character as a person.”

Terry was an assistant coach when Durant stepped foot on campus in 2006. Rick Barnes was in charge back then and Durant found a great deal of success. He won National Player of the Year along with being a Consensus All-American. Seattle eventually selected him with the No. 2 overall pick.

From a team perspective, Texas went 25-10 overall and finished third in the Big 12. Not much time was spent in the NCAA Tournament though, losing in the second round to USC after being named a four-seed.

Moving ahead nearly 20 years, Durant still sees a lot of the same in Terry as he did in 2006. He believes Terry is someone who truly loves the game of basketball, enjoying the position he is in every day.

“Just his enthusiasm and his love for the game,” Durant said. “Sometimes the business of basketball can make you jaded a bit for the game. He’s a person who still loves– his office is right on the court, right on the corner. Usually guy’s offices is far from the court. He likes being on the floor. That love of the game is right there.”

Unfortunately, Durant will not get to see Texas play in person while in Austin. The Spurs have completely taken over the Moody Center while the collegiate team is on the road. Saturday’s game will be in Columbia against South Carolina before traveling to face Arkansas.

But not many people are going to support the program to the level of Durant. Especially if Terry is still in charge, enjoying his former assistant leading the Longhorns as the head coach.

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