GALLERY: Sports Illustrated Best Photos of Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant made headlines in July 2016 when he announced that he was leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder to go play for the Golden State Warriors. The 2007-08 Rookie of the Year and 2013-14 MVP will join a team that already has stars in Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, making the Warriors an early favorite to win the NBA title.

As we wait for the 2016-17 season, and in recognition of Durant's 28th birthday (on Sept. 29, 2016), here are SI's best photographs of the four-time NBA scoring champion (followed by a separate gallery of Durant over the years).

GALLERY: SI PHOTOS OF KEVIN DURANT

2006 McDonald's All American High School Basketball Game

2006 McDonald's All American High School Basketball Game

2006 Basketball Hall of Fame Challenge

2007 — Texas vs. Kansas State

2007 SI cover

2007 State Farm USA Basketball Challenge

2007 — Seattle SuperSonics vs. Denver Nuggets

2007 — Seattle SuperSonics vs. Denver Nuggets

2007 — Seattle SuperSonics vs. Phoenix Suns

2007 — Seattle SuperSonics vs. Phoenix Suns

2008 SI cover

2008 — Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

2009 T-Mobile NBA Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam

2009 photo shoot

2010 — Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Miami Heat

2010 Western Conference Playoffs First Round, Game 4 — Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Lakers

2010 Western Conference Playoffs First Round, Game 4 — Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Lakers

2010 Western Conference Playoffs First Round, Game 5 — Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Lakers

2010 preseason — Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Miami Heat

2010 SI cover

2011 Western Conference Semifinals, Game 7 — Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Memphis Grizzlies

2011 Western Conference Semifinals, Game 7 — Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Memphis Grizzlies

2011 preseason — Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks

2012 NBA All-Star Game

2012 — Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks

2012 Western Conference Finals, Game 6 — Oklahoma City Thunder vs. San Antonio Spurs

2012 NBA Finals, Game 2 — Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Miami Heat

2012 NBA Finals, Game 2 — Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Miami Heat

2012 SI cover

2012 London Olympic Games Preview

2012 London Olympic Games

2013 — Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Lakers

2013 — Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Miami Heat

2013 — Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Utah Jazz

2013 SI cover

2013 Western Conference Semifinals, Game 2 — Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Memphis Grizzlies

2013 NBA Summer Workout

2013 NBA Summer Workout

2013 NBA Summer Workout

2014 Western Conference Playoffs First Round, Game 1 — Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Memphis Grizzlies

2014 Western Conference Playoffs First Round, Game 4 — Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Memphis Grizzlies

2014 Western Conference Playoffs First Round, Game 7 — Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Memphis Grizzlies

2014 Western Conference Semifinals, Game 3 — Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Clippers

2014 SI cover

2014 Western Conference Finals, Game 6 — Oklahoma City Thunder vs. San Antonio Spurs

2014 — Oklahoma City Thunder vs Cleveland Cavaliers

Super Bowl 50

Super Bowl 50

2016 Western Conference Finals, Game 5 — Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Golden State Warriors

2016 SI cover

2016 photo shoot

2016 Rio Olympic Games

2016 Rio Olympic Games

2016 Rio Olympic Games

GALLERY: CLASSIC PHOTOS OF KEVIN DURANT

As a high schooler at Oak Hill, Durant possessed the skills to be a superstar.

Durant earned the 2006 All-Met Player of the Year Award at Montrose Christian after a season at Oak Hill, and was rewarded with a scholarship to the University of Texas.

Durant shined during the 2006 McDonald's All-American Game, tallying 25 points while splitting MVP honors with Chase Budinger. Here, he takes his triumphant photo with John Wooden, Budinger, other stars and, of course, Ronald McDonald.

Durant leads an emboldened Texas squad into the finals of the Big 12 Championship against Kansas in 2007. While Durant dazzled -- he racked up 32 points and nine rebounds -- his Longhorns fell short 90-86.

Durant poses with Tennessee's Candace Parker after the two were named winners of the 2007 John Wooden Award presented to the most outstanding players in college basketball. During his breakout freshman season, Durant averaged 25.5 points and 11.1 rebounds while leading the Longhorns to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Durant stands among his fellow prospects before the NBA Draft on June 28, 2007. While all were selected in the first round, it's hard to dispute that anyone's had a bigger impact than the former Texas small forward. He finished second in MVP voting in 2009-10.

Durant smiles for the camera with some of his littlest admirers during the NBA's Media Day in 2007. The photo was part of the Sonics' campaign to encourage children to read.

Durant slips on his jersey before a matchup with the Nuggets in the Pepsi Center in 2007. Much like with LeBron in his rookie season, opposing crowds relished the opportunity to watch the youngster play.

Durant proved he was worthy of the second overall pick during his prodigious 2007 campaign, shooting over 43 percent from the field though Seattle stumbled to a 20-62 record. Here, his entourage (from left to right: grandmother Barbara Davis, friend Cliff Dixon, mother Wanda Pratt, father Wayne) helps him accept the NBA's Rookie of the Year Award.

Durant endears himself to the Seattle fans after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch on Sept. 29, 2007. He immediately became a fan-favorite following his selection in the NBA Draft and posted 20.3 points per game in his rookie season with the Sonics.

Decked from head to toe in light sensor technology, Durant handles the basketball while EA Sports captures his moves in its Burnaby, British Columbia studio. Durant is compiling quite the video game resume. After serving as the cover athlete for NCAA March Madness '08 , he was placed on the front of NBA Elite 11 . Both are EA Sports titles.

Embracing their new hometown hero, Oklahoma City Thunder fans greet Durant following an open practice. Formerly the SuperSonics, the franchise moved to Oklahoma City in 2008.

Durant eyes the hoop in a Team USA basketball tuneup on July 23, 2008 in Las Vegas. While he didn't make that year's Olympic roster, he'd pioneer the so-called "B-Team" to a FIBA World Championship just two years later.

Equally helpful on and off the court, Durant volunteers during the Day of Service during the NBA All-Star Weekend in 2008. He was joined by teammate Jeff Green and Bucks' big man Yi Jianlian.

A legend during his basketball adolescence as well, Durant is honored in this trophy case at Seat Pleasant Activity Center, where he developed as a youth. Team photos, an autographed shoe and a spattering of articles are among the memorabilia honoring the Maryland native.

Ever the handyman, Durant fixes a chandelier at an Oklahoma City resident's home in April 2009. At 6-foot-9, Durant didn't need a ladder, something that clearly was amusing to teammate Jeff Green (back).

Ron Artest tries to pull a fast one by pinning Durant's arm during a game at the Ford Center.

Two of the new generation of superstars in the NBA, Durant and LeBron James take a picture at the 4th Annual Two Kings Dinner on Feb. 13, 2010. While LeBron generated more hype, it was Durant who led the league in scoring, averaging 30.1 points over an 82-game season.

Durant engages in a staring contest with a presidential guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in central Athens. The guard was able to maintain focus as Durant towered over him, but the Grecian National Team wasn't as lucky. He netted 15 points en route to a 87-59 victory.

Durant's sneakers during the World Basketball Championship served as a reminder of his motivations, as he honored many of his deceased friends by writing their names across his shoe tops. He also included a reference to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks by inscribing the date prominently over his left toes.

Durant leads the United States team in acknowledging the crowd after a 89-74 win over Lithuania in the World Basketball Championship semifinals. Durant would follow up a 38-point performance in this game with a 28-point outing in a victory against Turkey in the gold-medal game.

Kevin Durant lands in the stands during Game 4 of a first-round playoff series against Denver.

Durant enjoying a quiet moment before practice.

Durant celebrates after clinching a victory over Memphis in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals.

Durant skies for a breakaway dunk during a February 2012 game between the Thunder and Mavs.

Durant hugs his mother, Wanda Pratt, following Oklahoma City's victory over the Lakers in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals.

Dwight Howard goes up to try to defend a shot by Durant during the All-Star game in Orlando.

All-Star MVP Kevin Durant celebrates with hip-hop artist Lil' Wayne during the 2012 NBA All-Star Game in Orlando.

Kevin Durant with the MVP trophy after the West defeated the East 152-149 in the All-Star game.

Durant goes to the basket against the Dallas Mavericks in Game 3 of the Western Conference first-round series.

Kevin Durant dunks past the Lakers' Andrew Bynum during Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals.

Durant stands with the trophy following the Thunder's victory over the Spurs in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals.

Kevin Durant, Andre Iguodala and Anthony Davis (right) march in with other U.S. athletes during the opening ceremonies in London.

Durant looks to save the ball in a preliminary round Olympic game against Tunisia.

Kevin Durant celebrates winning a gold medal in London.

LeBron James and Kevin Durant at the buzzer of the Gold Medal Game against Spain.

Kevin Durant and LeBron James with their gold medals following a 107-100 Team USA victory over Team Spain in London.

Durant appeared on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, along with teammate James Harden.

Durant reacts during a 99-93 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center.

Durant signed with Jay-Z's Roc Nation group in 2013 was the fourth highest-earning player in the league that year, pulling in an estimated $35 million.

Kevin Durant and former teammate James Harden during Game 2 of a first-round playoff series.

Kevin Durant the revealed halfway stage of this elaborate tattoo in May.

Durant takes in a game between the Memphis Tigers and the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater.

Durant and Matthew McConaughey at the GQ Men Of The Year Party at The Ebell Club of Los Angeles.

Durant flips on his head after being fouled by Houston Rockets' Aaron Brooks.

LeBron James and Norris Cole pressure Durant during Oklahoma City's visit to Miami. The Thunder won 112-95 behind Durant's 33 points.

Durant and LeBron James fight for position in the first of their two scheduled games this season.

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