Kevin Durant says relationship with Texas 'perfect' as he returns to Austin with Rockets New York Times (Online) William Guillory AUSTIN, Texas — A reporter asked Kevin Durant Friday what he expects to hear when he takes the floor at the University of Texas for a meaningful basketball game for the first time in almost 20 years. “Cheers. I mean, what else are they gonna do?” he said jokingly. Durant and the Houston Rockets are scheduled to face the San Antonio Spurs Friday night. They will play at the Moody Center, which opened in April 22. The Frank Erwin Center was the University of Texas basketball team's home during his one season with the program, 2006-07. Before his iconic NBA career, Durant won The Associated Press Player of the Year during his year at Texas, also earning consensus All-American honors. He declared for the 2007 NBA Draft, picked second by the Seattle SuperSonics. Even before joining the Rockets, Durant often spoke about the special bond he developed with the school and the city of Austin, and the impact it had on the man he's become today. When Durant takes the floor on Friday night, it'll be a meaningful reminder of just how far he's come. “The day I graduated high school, the next day I came to (the school) by myself. I was here for that whole year — no friends, no family. I had to meet everybody here,” Durant said after Rockets shootaround on Friday. “So, I grew up and learned a lot about myself. I got some legendary coaching from coach (Rick) Barnes and his staff. It's a great city I had no clue about until I got here. Everything worked out perfect.” Even though he played only one year of college ball, Durant remains beloved at Texas. His impact on the school is notable. Last year, Texas announced that Durant would lead the charge for a “comprehensive NIL program that will celebrate a select group of Longhorn student-athletes in their continued basketball journeys.” As part of the partnership, Texas women's basketball star Madison Booker became the first athlete to receive access to Durant player exclusives for his signature shoe, apparel and more. “I think it was just a perfect partnership,” Durant said about his relationship with Texas. “Even though it was a short amount of time, I think the impact that I had here in that one year was felt for a while. Then, the impact this community had on my life has been felt. It's going to be felt for the rest of my life. This is like my foundation.” Durant's influence during his one season at Texas has played a major part in the program becoming a basketball power over the past two decades. Since Durant left Texas, the school has produced 13 first-round picks in the NBA draft. Texas had only three first-round picks in the decade before he arrived. Durant pointed to former Texas star T.J. Ford as a major reason he chose to attend school in Austin. He also pointed to his former college coach, Barnes, as a major influence on his college decision and the maturity he developed while in college. Durant said he spoke with Barnes on the phone a few weeks ago after his former coach reached out unexpectedly. Durant also works with his former Texas teammates, D.J. Augustin and Dexter Pittman, who now work in the Rockets organization. “Texas always had a deep tradition, especially in basketball, that was untapped. For many years, people really didn't recognize Texas basketball until coach Barnes and T.J. Ford and those guys came in here and did what they did,” Durant said. “That inspired me to come here. Then, it was just a chain reaction from there.”