Kevin Durant, widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players in NBA history, had a remarkable college season with the Texas Longhorns before entering the NBA. His impressive performance during that single college season established him as the best one-and-done player since 2006, according to analyst Mike Greenberg. This recognition comes as Duke’s Cooper Flagg was recently drafted first overall by the Dallas Mavericks after also completing just one college season.

Kevin Durant’s Impact and College Performance

During his lone season at Texas, Kevin Durant showcased extraordinary talent, averaging 25.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.9 blocks, and 1.9 steals per game. His dominant play attracted widespread attention from basketball experts and led to his selection by the Seattle SuperSonics in the NBA draft. Durant’s professional career has been filled with achievements, including winning two NBA championships with the Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018 after his tenure with the Oklahoma City Thunder, the franchise that the SuperSonics became in 2008.

Mike Greenberg’s Top Five One-and-Done College Players Since 2006

In the hours prior to the 2025 NBA draft, Mike Greenberg ranked the best one-and-done college players based solely on their collegiate success. At the top of his list was Kevin Durant. The other players who made the cut included Anthony Davis, Zion Williamson, Michael Beasley, and Kevin Love, all of whom had standout single seasons in college basketball before entering the NBA.

Cooper Flagg’s Path Following One-and-Done Predecessors

With Cooper Flagg being selected first overall by the Dallas Mavericks, attention now shifts to how he will perform relative to past one-and-done players like Durant and others. Flagg’s single season at Duke mirrors the path taken by many of these great athletes, highlighting the growing trend of college players making an immediate leap to the professional level.