Kevin Durant continues to find ways to stay prepared for another NBA season, but his offseason work has extended beyond his own training. The Houston Rockets star recently spent time on the court with Seattle Storm center Dominique Malonga, offering one of the WNBA’s brightest young talents a firsthand lesson in one of basketball’s most recognizable offensive weapons.
Durant, widely regarded as one of the greatest scorers in NBA history, walked Malonga through the mechanics behind his signature mid-range jumper. The workout showcased the veteran forward sharing his knowledge on shooting form, footwork, and creating space—skills that have defined his Hall of Fame-caliber career.
For Malonga, the opportunity represented another important step in her rapid development. The 20-year-old has enjoyed a breakout campaign with the Storm, earning recognition as one of the league’s emerging stars while taking on a much larger role during her second professional season.
Although the workout was informal, it highlighted the growing collaboration between NBA and WNBA players during the offseason. Veterans like Durant continue to influence the next generation by passing along techniques that have helped shape some of basketball’s most successful careers.
1. Learning From One of the NBA’s Best
Durant has built a reputation as one of the game’s most complete offensive players, combining exceptional size with elite shooting ability. His mid-range jumper has remained one of the league’s most difficult shots to defend, making it a valuable skill for younger players hoping to expand their offensive game.
During the workout, Durant carefully demonstrated the movement and balance required to consistently create clean looks from mid-range. Malonga followed along attentively, absorbing the details behind the footwork and shooting mechanics that have made Durant one of the NBA’s most efficient scorers.
Observers noted that the young Storm center appeared comfortable applying the techniques throughout the session. While mastering such a skill requires years of repetition, the opportunity to learn directly from Durant offered valuable insight that few developing players receive.
For a player still early in her professional career, access to one of basketball’s premier offensive minds could prove beneficial as she continues refining different aspects of her scoring arsenal.
2. Malonga’s Rapid Development
Malonga has already taken a significant leap during her second WNBA season. Entrusted with a larger role in Seattle’s rotation, she has become one of the team’s most productive players on both ends of the floor.
Entering the latest stretch of the season, the former No. 2 overall draft pick was averaging 15.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting 46.3 percent from the field. Those numbers reflect steady growth and have helped earn her recognition as a WNBA All-Star.
Her combination of size, athleticism, and versatility has already made her a difficult matchup inside the paint. If she successfully adds a more consistent perimeter and mid-range game to her skill set, she could become an even more complete offensive threat capable of stretching opposing defenses.
Durant’s own career serves as an example of how versatility can transform a player’s impact. Standing nearly seven feet tall, he developed guard-like shooting and ball-handling skills that changed expectations for players of his size. Malonga possesses physical tools that could allow her to follow a similarly versatile path within the women’s game.
3. Looking Ahead to the Season
Despite Seattle’s recent struggles in the standings, Malonga has continued to deliver encouraging individual performances. She once again showed her consistency by recording 15 points and nine rebounds in the Storm’s 89-78 loss to the Atlanta Dream.
While the result did not go Seattle’s way, Malonga’s production reinforced why the organization views her as one of the franchise’s foundational players moving forward. Her continued development remains one of the team’s biggest priorities.
The Storm will have another opportunity to improve when they face the Washington Mystics. As the season progresses, Malonga will look to incorporate the lessons she learned during her offseason workout while continuing to expand her offensive repertoire.
For Durant, mentoring younger players has become another way to contribute to the sport beyond his own accomplishments. As he prepares for his 38-year-old season in the NBA, sharing his experience with rising stars like Malonga reflects both his passion for the game and his willingness to help shape basketball’s next generation.