TEXAS’S KEVIN DURANT WINS 2007 NAISMITH TROPHY Longhorn Star Becomes First Freshman Ever To Win The Award ATLANTA (April 1, 2007) – Kevin Durant, the University of Texas multi-talented freshmen phenom, was named the 2007 Naismith Trophy Men’s College Player of the Year presented by AT&T, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced today. Durant accepted the trophy at the National Association of Basketball Coaches’ “Guardians of the Game” Awards Show in Atlanta, site of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four. Durant becomes the first freshman in the history of the award to claim the honor. Of the 38 previous winners, 24 were seniors, eight were juniors and six were sophomores. He was presented the Naismith Trophy by Atlanta Tipoff Club Chairman Jim Williams and AT&T Wireless Services’ Chief Marketing Officer Marc Lefar. The Naismith Trophy is given annually to the men’s and women’s college players of the year and is the most prestigious national award in college basketball. The other Naismith Trophy finalists were Tyler Hansbrough of North Carolina, Acie Law IV of Texas A&M and Alando Tucker of Wisconsin. Durant also will be honored at the Naismith Awards banquet April 5 in Atlanta. Durant was selected by the Atlanta Tipoff Club’s board of selectors – a collection of leading basketball journalists, coaches and administrators from around the country – and the fans. Through AT&T’s wireless text messaging, fans accounted for an unprecedented 25% of the board of selectors’ overall vote for the third straight year. The results were certified by the accounting firm of Habif, Arogeti & Wynne, LLP. “Kevin has enjoyed an incredible season, not only with personal success but in how he helped elevate his team,” said Gary Stokan, Atlanta Tipoff Club president. “To think he accomplished everything as a freshman is just all the more impressive.” In his rookie season, the 6-9 swingman became the first freshman to earn National Player of the Year honors from the NABC. The only unanimous choice to The Associated Press All-America first team, Durant also became the first freshman to garner Big 12 Conference Player of the Year accolades. He led the league in scoring (25.8 ppg), rebounding (11.1 rpg) and blocked shots (67). Durant is the only player in the country to rank in the Top 10 nationally in both scoring (fourth) and rebounding (fourth), and he finished second nationally in double-doubles (20). He led the Longhorns to a 25-10 record (12-4 Big 12) and a No. 11 ranking in the final AP poll. Durant set the school and Big 12 single-season scoring mark (903 points) and became just the second freshman in NCAA history to top the 900-point plateau (965 by Chris Jackson, LSU, 1988-89). “AT&T is proud to give the fans a voice in determining the winner of the Naismith Trophy, and the fans helped choose a very deserving recipient,” said Lefar. “Kevin Durant had a fantastic season. Despite being just a freshman, he quickly distinguished himself as the best player in college basketball.” -more- Naismith Men’s Winner/Page 2 “I’ve said many times this weekend that I firmly believe Kevin was the best player in the country this year," Texas coach Rick Barnes said. "But what I appreciate more about Kevin is that he is the ultimate team player and a genuine person. To see him win the Naismith Trophy is very special, both for Kevin and for our basketball program.” Durant is just the third player from the Big 12 conference to take home the Naismith Trophy (T.J. Ford, Texas, 2003; Danny Manning, Kansas, 1988). Last year’s Naismith Trophy winner was J.J. Redick from Duke University. For more information, visit www.naismithawards.com. ABOUT THE ATLANTA TIPOFF CLUB The Atlanta Tipoff Club, an Atlanta Sports Council property, is committed to promoting the game of basketball and recognizing the outstanding accomplishments of those who make the game so exciting. The Atlanta Tipoff Club has presented the Naismith Trophy since UCLA’s Lew Alcindor first won the award in 1969. Old Dominion’s Anne Donovan won the inaugural Women’s Naismith Trophy in 1983. The Naismith Award has become an emblem of excellence for the game, recognizing the Men’s and Women’s College Basketball Player of the Year, Men’s and Women’s College Basketball Coach of the Year, as well as awards for outstanding achievement in high school basketball, officiating, and overall contribution to the game. ABOUT AT&T AT&T Inc. is a premier communications holding company in the United States and around the world, with operating subsidiaries providing services under the AT&T brand. AT&T is the recognized world leader in providing IP-based communications services to business and the U.S. leader in providing wireless, high speed Internet access, local and long distance voice, and directory publishing and advertising services. As part of its "three screen" integration strategy, AT&T is expanding video entertainment offerings to include such next-generation television services as AT&T U-verse(SM) TV. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com/. - end - Contacts: Eric Oberman Lauren Butler Atlanta Tipoff Club Cingular Wireless, part of the new AT&T (404) 586-8506 (404) 405-5623 [email protected] [email protected] .