Number 35 is no more. Just a few days after Golden State Warriors CEO and Co-Chairman Joe Lacob said that no other player will wear #35 for the franchise, Kevin Durant announced a jersey number change.
Durant is starting fresh with the Brooklyn Nets, and changing his jersey to #7. He announced the number change on his Instagram account, and through a heartfelt post on his business account.
Here’s the full statement from Durant:
35 took my family and me from Seat Pleasant, MD and showed us the world.
35 allowed me to meet people that I never would’ve had the chance to meet, experience things I would never have had the chance to experience, and achieve tings that I never would have been able to achieve.
35 allowed me to go to the University of Texas to play basketball, 35 allowed me to achieve my dream of playing in the NBA in Seattle.
35 allowed me to play basketball in Oklahoma City and form bonds and friendships that will last a lifetime.
Lastly, 35 allowed me to go to the Bay Area and win two championships and form brotherhoods that no time or distance will ever break.
35 was chosen in honor of someone very near and dear to me. I will always honor him and honor the number 35.
But as I start this new chapter in my basketball life, the number I’ll be wearing on my back is the number 7 next time you see me on the floor.
One time Brooklyn.
It feels fitting that, even though Durant is leaving the Warriors, it was a Golden State jersey that he last wore the number 35 on.