Durant impresses Thunder draft picks

OKLAHOMA CITY – Kevin Durant’s emotional MVP speech made an impression on Mitch McGary and Josh Huestis long before the NBA draft.

During the now-famous address, Durant mentioned specific details he appreciated about each of his teammates – even the ones who didn’t play much or at all. McGary and Huestis both said they were blown away by Durant’s show of leadership that day. Once they became part of the Thunder organization as first-round picks Thursday night, they quickly learned quickly that Durant is as advertised.

“Kevin Durant already texted me this morning, saying I can’t wait to get to work,” McGary said during an introductory news conference Friday at the Oklahoma History Center. “I know these guys are eager to get us in the gym and get ready to be an NBA contender next year.”

Huestis got a message, too.

“To me, it’s absolutely incredible,” he said. “For someone like Kevin Durant, the top scorer in the world, to reach out to us, guys that just joined the organization, says something about his character and his vision of who the team can be.”

Thunder general manager Sam Presti said he chose McGary and Huestis, in part, because they are good, selfless teammates like Durant.

McGary only played eight games for Michigan last season before having back surgery. Yet he made an impression on Presti with the way he continued to interact with his teammates from the bench.

Huestis, a swingman from Great Falls, Montana, was good enough to be a first-round draft pick, despite just being fourth on Stanford’s team in scoring. He embraced his role and was voted to the Pac-12 defensive team in his junior and senior years.

Blessed with high skill levels, intelligence and toughness, Presti feels they match what the organization looks for.

“These guys in combination are what we feel add up to make us better than we were the day before,” Presti said.

Semaj Christon, a point guard from Xavier, was added in a draft-night deal with Charlotte for cash. The No. 55 pick wasn’t able to attend the introductory news conference.

McGary says his back feels good. Given that he missed so much time, and that he was facing a suspension for testing positive for marijuana last season, he is thankful to have a chance to play in the league.

“It means everything,” he said. “For a team to take a chance on me after all the adversities I went through and the way I ended my collegiate career, it really shows a lot about them (the Thunder).”