Phoenix Suns rookie forward Ryan Dunn had a memorable off day on Wednesday watching his older brother, Justin, pitch in MLB spring training for the Chicago White Sox in Phoenix. Joining Ryan Dunn in the stands was Kevin Durant, a perennial NBA All-Star that he also now views as a mentor and big brother.
“Kevin coming to my brother’s game meant a lot,” Dunn told Andscape. “It shows how much he supports not only me, but my family. And it’s a good relationship that we have that he’s able to come and support one of my family members and with what he has going on. We’re all professional athletes and for [Durant] to be able to come see Justin’s game and be able to talk after was great and very cool.”
For Dunn, building a rapport with Durant so fast has been one of the highlights and most meaningful parts of his rookie season in Phoenix.
During the 2024 NBA draft, the Suns completed a trade with the Denver Nuggets that included acquiring the draft rights to Dunn, the 28th pick in the first round. The former University of Virginia star averaged 8.1 points and team-highs of 6.9 rebounds and 2.3 blocks as a sophomore during the 2023-24 season. The Suns were interested in the 2023-24 Lefty Driesell Defensive All-America Team selection due to his exceptional defense.
When Dunn arrived in Phoenix, he was very knowledgeable about Durant, a two-time NBA champion, 15-time NBA All-Star and the 2014 NBA Most Valuable Player. So, when Durant asked Dunn to join him in Los Angeles for offseason workouts before training camp, he quickly accepted the opportunity. During that time, Dunn had the challenge of playing Durant in 1-on-1 games. Dunn also credited Durant for instilling confidence in him that he was ready for the NBA.
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“It happened with ‘K’ [Durant] first in the summer when I went to California to work out with him,” Dunn, 22, said. “We were playing ‘1s’ and he said, ‘We’re going to need you this year.’ ”
Now at 36 years old, Durant has naturally become several young basketball stars. It was well-documented during the 2024 Olympics that Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards was most excited about playing on Team USA with Durant, and he was often alongside his childhood idol in France. Durant has also been mentoring heralded American prep prospect A.J. Dybantsa, who is a candidate to be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA draft.
While respectfully being called “Unc” and “OG” will take some getting used for Durant, he takes pride in being a mentor for young basketball stars.
“It is kind of cool to have those dudes watch me growing up and to admire my game, and respect my game, more than anything,” Durant said. “I’ve always wanted respect from NBA players from my work ethic and skills in general. To get that respect from the younger generation is humbling. I’m honored. I’m trying to do my part to give as much as I can and to be there as a brother as well…
“They call me Unc… OG. Ant [Edwards] is the one that goes too far with the OG, the Unc. But it’s all in love. I always appreciate being around younger talent in this league. I feed off them. We feed off of each other.”
During his youth, Durant said he looked up to NBA legends like LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and the late Kobe Bryant. Durant also said that former NBA greats Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady had a major influence on his game as well. Durant said his youth basketball coaches often made him watch highlight videos of the aforementioned players to learn from their elite skillsets.
At 19 years old, Durant was on the USA Basketball Select team that helped the 2008 USA Olympic men’s senior basketball team prepare for the Beijing Olympics. Bryant, James and Anthony were on Team USA at the time, and looking back, Durant appreciated those three giving him words of wisdom in 2008. Durant has gone on to become a four-time Olympic gold medalist and USA Basketball’s all-time leader in points, scoring average, field goals made, 3-pointers made and free throws made.
“I had to study them as a kid, not just watch them for fun,” Durant said. “I had to emulate what they did or I would get in trouble with my coaches. I had to be at the standard that they held in the league. And when I saw them, I was at a loss for words. I just stayed quiet, listened and took in the moment. Not piss them off. Be a little brother.
“I always wanted to compete against them and thought that I could. To be in the same rooms with them at 19 on Team USA being around all those guys, I didn’t feel like I belonged. But they accepted and welcomed me with open arms.”
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Durant entered Friday as the fifth-oldest active NBA player behind James, Chris Paul, Kyle Lowry and Mike Conley Jr. Tonight’s game against the Denver Nuggets on ESPN (10 p.m. ET) will be the 1,111th of Durant’s NBA career.
Durant has always had a goal to play 20 NBA seasons, which he would reach during the 2026-27 campaign. Even so, the two-time NBA Finals MVP told Andscape he has not decided how long he would like to play.
Durant says the key to his longevity has been “the recovery stuff.”
“I’m keeping my body loose and flexible,” Durant said. “Icing. Doing stuff you didn’t do at 20 and 22 because you can just get up and go. I warm up before I get out on the court. I do exercises before I do anything, which is the new norm for me. It’s been cool getting to know your body and your game as you get older…
“I feel like I’m in my 30s. Somedays you get out of the bed and you feel a little something. But my energy is still there. I feel good. I still feel like I can go out there and play 48 minutes and play efficient basketball. I feel great.”
For Dunn during his rookie season, every day around Durant, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal and all his veteran Suns teammates has been “surreal” and a masterclass. Having an NBA icon in Durant to ask questions daily has had special meaning for Dunn, especially since he is getting advice, encouragement, heartfelt responses and brotherhood in return.
“Being a rookie that can go up to him and ask him questions, work out with him and see how he takes approaches to the game both mentally and physically and being able to dissect a lot from him has been great,” Dunn said. “I’m trying to implement some of his stuff in my routine and just keep learning from him. Just be a sponge, soak up as much information as I can get. And the thing about Kevin is he’s not going to allow you to take a back seat. He wants you to be aggressive as well, to be confident in your ability and trust that you can make plays.
“He’s also telling me to not sit back and watch, and if I have something, go take it, be aggressive and be that guy. So that’s one of my brothers that I’ve built a great relationship with and I’m glad to have him as a vet of mine.”