NBA superstar Kevin Durant, a player for the Houston Rockets, is making a significant move to solidify his deep connection with Austin, Texas, a city that holds a special place in his heart from his collegiate days.
The former Texas Longhorn, whose incredible 2006-07 season saw him average 26 points and 11 rebounds, is now establishing his first restaurant in the city’s vibrant downtown area.
This new venture, which he has named the Austin Sports Club, is the latest in a series of substantial investments Durant has made in the community, according to the Austin American-Stateman.
In 2018, the 37-year-old famously donated $3 million to the University of Texas, a contribution that led to the funding of the state-of-the-art practice facility situated next to the Moody Center, which proudly bears his name.
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Located at 205 E. Third St., the restaurant is the result of a partnership involving several key players: Kevin Durant and his partner Rich Kleiman’s Boardroom Hospitality, Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia, and Lobos Hospitality.
Lobos Hospitality is an Austin-based group known for other local spots like the retro diner Toasty Badger on South Congress Avenue, as well as the downtown establishments Manny’s sandwich shop and the cocktail bar, the Powder Room.
This restaurant is the initial concept from Durant and Kleiman, who also have shared interests in media, sports, and entertainment through their Boardroom brand.
Austin Sports Club, Kevin Durant’s forthcoming restaurant concept, has been described by a representative as “a timeless restaurant reimagined for the modern athlete, executive and tastemaker.” The menu is currently being developed by the Lobos Hospitality team.
Austin’s downtown area is very familiar to Durant. He has changed a lot since his teenage years, when he was a sensation with his Longhorn teammates, with whom he formed a deep, family-like bond.
Durant reminisced to the American-Statesman earlier this year, during his time in town with the Phoenix Suns to play at the Moody Center, about the strong bond he shared with his teammates, “Every Saturday night we were hanging out on Sixth Street, us six, just piling out of a Cavalier. We did everything together, man. It was a great time.”
He explained that this feeling of community, “connected me with the school and with the city on another level. When you run around the city with six of your teammates all the time, and then your coaching staff, we just had a family type vibe. It was perfect.”
Austin Sports Club is scheduled to open in spring 2026, situated close to the Vince Young Steakhouse. Notably, the former Longhorn star is no longer involved as a business partner in the steakhouse.
Kevin Durant isn’t the only athlete with ties to Austin who has invested in the local restaurant scene. Nick Foles, a Westlake High School graduate and Super Bowl LII MVP with the Philadelphia Eagles, is also a part owner of ATX Cocina, a Mexican restaurant located downtown.
Apart from his business achievements, Durant has reached a significant career milestone, moving to seventh place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, now ahead of Wilt Chamberlain, according to Olympics.com.
Durant, who has won two NBA championships and four Olympic gold medals, achieved this during a game where the Houston Rockets lost 111–105 to the Portland Trail Blazers.
He entered the game needing only 15 points to pass Chamberlain’s 31,419 career points. Durant scored 30 points in the game, hitting the record-breaking shot—a three-pointer—with 7:57 left in the third quarter. This basket brought his career total to 31,422 points.
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