Trae Young's Quote About Kevin Durant Went Viral Before NBA Cup

Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young spoke about Kevin Durant (Phoenix Suns) before Saturday's NBA Cup game.

Apr 2, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) (left) and Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) react after the Hawks defeated the Nets at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images / Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Trae Young is one of the best point guards in the NBA.

The Atlanta Hawks star spent most of his childood in Oklahoma (and played one season for the Sooners).

Before Saturday's NBA Cup game, he spoke about Kevin Durant (who played nine seasons for the OKC Thunder when Young was growing up).

His quote got a lot of views on social media.

Young (via the NBA): "KD played a lot of games in OKC. When I was in middle school, I was always watching them. They went to the Finals all those things. I've had some really great role models that I can look up to from afar and kind of steal bits and pieces from their games... He plays a lot of basketball and runs. From what I've heard and what I've listened too from just conversations with him too; you learn from playing, you get in shape by playing too. That's something that we can stay in shape and still get better at the same time. That's kind of why I play and never stop playing when the summer starts."

Growing up in Oklahoma, Trae Young thanks Kevin Durant for being one of his idols and players he looks up to 👏

Hawks #EmiratesNBACup Semifinals Media Availability.

🏆 ATL/MIL, Saturday, 4:30pm/et, TNT 🏆 pic.twitter.com/4D2rJqpvXS

— NBA (@NBA) December 13, 2024

The Hawks lost Saturday's game to the Milwaukee Bucks by a score of 110-102.

That said, Young finished with 35 points, seven rebounds, ten assists and one steal while shooting 9/18 from the field and 3/5 form the three-point range in 40 minutes of playing time.

He is in his seventh season (all with the Hawks).

Trae Young thanks Kevin Durant for being one of his idols and players he looks up to! Growing up in Oklahoma watching him pic.twitter.com/jgQfyfGX2E

— 𝐇𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 ✰ (@Hatedzs) December 14, 2024

As for Durant, he still remains among the best players in the NBA at 36.