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Debuting on the University of Texas men’s basketball team on Feb. 25, the KD9 Texas shoe pays homage to Kevin Durant’s beloved alma mater. Courtesy of Nike. 

Debuting on the University of Texas men’s basketball team on Feb. 25, the KD9 Texas shoe pays homage to Kevin Durant’s beloved alma mater. Courtesy of Nike. 

Debuting on the University of Texas men’s basketball team on Feb. 25, the KD9 Texas shoe pays homage to Kevin Durant’s beloved alma mater. Courtesy of Nike. 

Debuting on the University of Texas men’s basketball team on Feb. 25, the KD9 Texas shoe pays homage to Kevin Durant’s beloved alma mater. Courtesy of Nike. 

Debuting on the University of Texas men’s basketball team on Feb. 25, the KD9 Texas shoe pays homage to Kevin Durant’s beloved alma mater. Courtesy of Nike. 

Debuting on the University of Texas men’s basketball team on Feb. 25, the KD9 Texas shoe pays homage to Kevin Durant’s beloved alma mater. Courtesy of Nike. 

Debuting on the University of Texas men’s basketball team on Feb. 25, the KD9 Texas shoe pays homage to Kevin Durant’s beloved alma mater. Courtesy of Nike. 

Debuting on the University of Texas men’s basketball team on Feb. 25, the KD9 Texas shoe pays homage to Kevin Durant’s beloved alma mater. Courtesy of Nike. 

12. Nike’s first signature shoe – Wayne Wells

Source: @Darrenrovell

12. Nike’s first signature shoe – Wayne Wells

Source: @Darrenrovell

11. Hakeem Olajuwon – Spalding D5

Played for: Houston Rockets

11. Hakeem Olajuwon – Spalding D5

Played for: Houston Rockets

8. Tim Duncan – Adidas Big Fundamental

Played for: San Antonio Spurs

8. Tim Duncan – Adidas Big Fundamental

Played for: San Antonio Spurs

8. Tim Duncan – Adidas Big Fundamental

Played for: San Antonio Spurs

8. Tim Duncan – Adidas Big Fundamental

Played for: San Antonio Spurs

7. Charles Barkley – Nike Air CB 34

Played for: Houston Rockets

7. Charles Barkley – Nike Air CB 34

Played for: Houston Rockets

7. Charles Barkley – Nike Air CB 34

Played for: Houston Rockets

7. Charles Barkley – Nike Air CB 34

Played for: Houston Rockets

6. Tim Duncan – Nike Total Air Foamposite Max

Played for: San Antonio Spurs

6. Tim Duncan – Nike Total Air Foamposite Max

Played for: San Antonio Spurs

5. Tracy McGrady – Adidas T-Mac 1 

Played for: Houston Rockets

Source: @LeBronSpainFans

5. Tracy McGrady – Adidas T-Mac 1 

Played for: Houston Rockets

Source: @LeBronSpainFans

5. Tracy McGrady – Adidas T-Mac 1 (Hulk edition)

Played for: Houston Rockets

Source: @NewInSportswear

5. Tracy McGrady – Adidas T-Mac 1 (Hulk edition)

Played for: Houston Rockets

Source: @NewInSportswear

4. Dwight Howard – Peak DH2

Played for: Houston Rockets

4. Dwight Howard – Peak DH2

Played for: Houston Rockets

4. Dwight Howard – Peak DH2

Played for: Houston Rockets

4. Dwight Howard – Peak DH2

Played for: Houston Rockets

3. Dwight Howard – Adidas Adipower Howard 3

Played for: Houston Rockets

3. Dwight Howard – Adidas Adipower Howard 3

Played for: Houston Rockets

3. Dwight Howard – Adidas Adipower Howard 3

Played for: Houston Rockets

3. Dwight Howard – Adidas Adipower Howard 3

Played for: Houston Rockets

2. Hakeem Olajuwon – Etonic’s Dream 1

Played for: Houston Rockets

2. Hakeem Olajuwon – Etonic’s Dream 1

Played for: Houston Rockets

2. Hakeem Olajuwon – Etonic’s Dream 1

Played for: Houston Rockets

2. Hakeem Olajuwon – Etonic’s Dream 1

Played for: Houston Rockets

Kevin Durant spent only one season in Austin, but his veins still course with burnt orange blood.  

Because of that bond, Nike is making a special “Texas” version of Durant’s Zoom KD9 signature shoe available to the public.

“Attending UT was one of the best experiences of my life and launching the KD9 back in Austin this past June reflects my love for the college experience I had 10 years ago,” said Durant, who won numerous player of the year awards during his lone Longhorns season.

Before sneakerheads can slide into the kicks, the Texas men’s and women’s basketball teams will get to rock them on the court.

The men will don them Saturday when they host No. 3 Kansas. Coach Shaka Smart surely hopes Durant’s sneakers will provide some sort of “Like Mike” effect for his struggling team.

The women will wear the design during the Big 12 tournament, which begins on Mar. 3.

“I want everybody to feel the experience,” Durant said. “It’s not just about me, I want it for all the hoopers out there and I feel like this is the perfect shoe for that.”

nmoyle@express-news.net

Twitter: @NRmoyle

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