Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant opened up and said he experienced body-image issues earlier in his NBA career to the extent that he was depressed.
Appearing on Not This Again with Bobbi Althoff, KD said this period was around six years ago and that he eventually “snapped out of it.” He explained he felt self-conscious about being “too tall” or “too skinny.”
The conversation begins at the 1:47 mark of the episode:
Durant’s frame has always been one of his defining features. While he has added some muscle since first arriving in the NBA in 2007, he’s still listed at 6’11” and 240 pounds.
The 15-time All-Star’s recent remarks might provide some context for why he never warmed to one of the more clever nicknames fans developed for him. Back in 2014, he pushed back against being called the “Slim Reaper,” saying at the time he’s “here to shine a bright light” and didn’t want to be associated with a figure synonymous with death.
Durant’s interview is a reminder that being incredibly famous and successful doesn’t make one immune to self-doubt.