If there is one thing that prime sports athletes can’t afford to do, it is to let their fitness lapse. Apart from the extensive workout routine and training sessions, athletes also have to be careful about what they consume. For NBA star Kevin Durant, the stakes at the 2024 Paris Olympics was more than an NBA game. He took some ‘extensive’ measures that not many were aware about, until now.

Today at the Fanatics Fest, Kevin Durant and Anthony Edwards participated in a panel discussion hosted by former NBA small forward Jalen Rose. During the conversation, Edwards revealed celebrating his 23rd birthday with Team USA stars in Paris amid the hunt for a gold medal. While the Minnesota Timberwolves’ star appreciated everything that his teammates did for him, it still didn’t stop him from noticing a detail about the most experienced Olympian on his squad.

“That was dope, he was trying to starve for a little bit” Edwards said about Durant. “They threw it….it was a good party though, (that) I had. That was the most fun ever.”

With a weight of 240 lbs, Kevin Durant was not the heaviest member of the national squad. In fact, he weighed only 15 lbs more than Anthony Edwards, and over 30 lbs less than Joel Embiid, the heaviest player on the team. Regardless, the 35-year-old had meticulously been following a strict diet regimen.

According to a 2018 report by Seafood Nutrition Partnership, Durant would consume a three-egg omelet with spinach and tomato for breakfast, seafood for lunch after a workout, and guacamole with quinoa chips or carrots/fresh fruits for snacks. KD took his plan so seriously that even when a birthday celebration provided the opportunity to cheat, he refused to do so.

He was in perfect shape at the Paris Games, he may not have wanted to take any risks by eating more than he needed to. Kevin Durant’s availability during the Olympics in itself was put under question earlier after he developed a calf strain during training camp. While he had recovered, keeping his body in shape was a priority for the player from that point onwards. And when it comes to staying focused and healthy on the road, Durant has his own tips for that. According to a 2020 report by Men’s Journal, the NBA star highlighted that during his tenure with the Oklahoma City Thunder, he sought the help of a chef/nutritionist to maintain a properly balanced diet. Seeking help becomes difficult when the star is away from home. However, Durant hardly quits, revealing that it’s important to make smart choices when looking to eat out or grab a meal on the go.

The 35-year-old’s mentality is what may have helped him to stay healthy enough to secure an average score of 13.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. Durant ranked 20 when it came to his efficiency rating (15.5) at the Olympics, one higher than Stephen Curry. Securing his fourth consecutive gold medal allowed him to silence all critics, including those who doubted his ability to handle heavy weights due to his skinny stature.

Kevin Durant shut down Andre Iguodala’s claims that “he won’t lift weights”

Having a well-defined muscle tone has been the hallmark of several successful NBA athletes. In fact, Michael Jordan famously added 15 pounds of muscle in a single summer to boost his and the Chicago Bulls’ chances against the Detroit Pistons. While Kevin Durant has also done his part in building up his physique, it was not enough for one of his former teammates.

In December 2023, 4x NBA champion Andre Iguodala appeared on a segment of the Point Forward podcast. Having served as Durant’s teammate during the latter’s three-year stint with the Golden State Warriors, the former player believed that the star couldn’t go wrong when it came to his game. However, he would later highlight his criticism by stating Iguodala said: “KD’s only flaw is he won’t lift weights. That’s it. You can foul him and he is so good, they get mad and they just let them foul him. KD, if you just lift weights.” Soon enough, the remarks reached the ears of KD. Taking to his official X account, Durant highlighted the interview on his feed and wrote “Now I don’t lift weights, aight man. These boys say anything on these podcasts.”

Since entering the NBA, Kevin Durant has maintained a lean and slender physique. However, in recent years, he has adjusted his training regimen to keep pace with his peers and competitors. A notable example of this shift was captured in October 2023, when the 35-year-old was seen performing a deadlift. By increasing his weight to 240 lbs, Durant’s evolving fitness routine reflects a shift from a focus on sheer weight to an emphasis on muscle development.

Before you go, remember to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Silas Demary Jr.