Boston Celtics guard Derrick White offered high praise for Kevin Durant’s Olympic performance, calling the Team USA veteran “so cold” during the 2024 Paris Games.
White, who shared the floor with Durant in France, said there’s nothing defenders can do when the 35-year-old enters his rhythm. “Imagine running as fast as you can, jumping as high as you can, reaching as high as possible, and not being close to the ball,” White said on his White Noise Podcast, via HoopsHype. “That’s every KD jumper.”
Durant missed all pre-Olympic exhibitions due to a calf injury and made his debut against Serbia. Despite the layoff, he came off the bench and immediately made an impact.
White recalled Durant hitting a fall-away jumper at the halftime buzzer of that game and told him afterward, “You’re one of the coldest ever.”
Durant went on to break two major Olympic records during the 2024 tournament. On August 4, he passed Carmelo Anthony to become the United States’ all-time rebounding leader in Olympic men’s basketball history. Three days later, he became the all-time scoring leader across all U.S. Olympic basketball, surpassing Lisa Leslie.
Team USA captured gold in a rematch against France, making Durant the first four-time gold medalist in men’s Olympic basketball history.
White described Durant as a true student of the game and noted how quickly he returned to form despite missing time. “He’s a hooper 24/7,” White said. “When he’s in that mode, there’s nothing you can do.”
According to White, Durant’s mindset is centered around simplicity and passion for the sport. “First thing he asked me was why I wasn’t practicing. I said they’re taking me slow. He’s like, ‘You’re a hooper — just go hoop.’”
Durant’s performance in Paris added to an already historic Olympic résumé, solidifying his place as one of Team USA’s all-time greats.
With four golds, multiple records, and unmatched shot-making at the international level, Olympic KD has once again proven why he’s considered one of the most unguardable scorers in basketball history.
