NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. - After taking jokes from Peyton Manning at the ESPY's in Los Angeles on Wednesday night, Kevin Durant flew across the country to attend Nike's Peach Jam on Thursday morning. Durant created a buzz immediately after entering the facility and stayed to watch the No. 1 player in the country, Marvin Bagley III. Durant, a former Longhorn, also sat with Texas head coach Shaka Smart, as he and his coaching staff watched top 30 player Keldon Johnson.
Having college coaches sit courtside is something these top high school players have become accustomed to seeing, but with Durant watching, it was definitely different.
"It was cool to look over and see him sitting there watching our game," Johnson said. "Just to know that he was at the ESPY's the night before and then he flew right here to watch us play in the Peach Jam, that's crazy. We all definitely elevated our game because he was there, that's for sure."
For Bagley, it took him a minute to get used to Durant sitting there.
"It was weird at first because I watch KD all the time," Bagley said. "I was actually at one of the (NBA) Finals games in Cleveland. I was sitting there watching him play and now here he is, sitting at one of my games watching me play."
Bagley definitely put on a show for Durant, dropping 25 points and 11 rebounds in a 64-57 win over Durant’s EYBL team, Mokan Elite.