Kevin Durant Praises Simone Biles for Her 'Brilliance': 'She's Inspired Me'

Mar. 15, 2025

Kevin Durant; Simone Biles.Photo:VCG/Getty; Jamie Squire/Getty

VCG/Getty; Jamie Squire/Getty

Simone Bileshas a big fan inKevin Durant.

Durant, 35, toldThe Athleticthat “seeing Simone” win her sixth gold medal on Aug. 1 in Paris was one of the highlights of his experience at theParis Olympicsthus far.

“When people see so much potential in you at an early age, you’re gonna get nitpicked like that, and she’s been through it at the highest of highest levels,” Durant told The Athletic.

The 6-foot-11 basketball star continued, “For her to continue to come out and showcase the brilliance every day, and also let people know that they sound crazy talking against her? To be able to do both is inspiring.”

Simone Biles shows off her GOAT necklace after winning the gold medal in Paris Olympics.LOIC VENANCE/AFP via Getty

LOIC VENANCE/AFP via Getty

Durant — who is no stranger to criticism on social media nor replying to NBA fans in his mentions on X (formerly known as Twitter) — said Biles inspired him to keep the same energy online.

“So yeah, she’s inspired me to keep tweeting and keep doing what I do on the court too,” he said, per the Athletic.

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Biles — America’smost decorated Olympic gymnast of all time— rarely shies away from shutting down nasty messages from digital trolls or speaking up for herself and teammates, much like Durant.

Even since landing in Paris, Biles hasspoken out against her “haters”, defended herhusband wearing her gold medalandtaken a dig at Donald Trump.

She also stood up for her teammates when former U.S. gymnastMyKayla Skinner criticized the “talent"of this year’s Team USA gymnastics roster. Afterthe “Golden Girls"won gold in the team final, Biles posted a photo with the caption, “Lack of talent, lazy, olympic champions ❤️🥇🇺🇸.”

Bilesspoke exclusively with PEOPLEabout the importance of standing up for herself and her teammates during an interview on Aug. 6. “I just felt like it was right in that moment to stand up for them, because they’re so young and they haven’t fully stood in their power yet,” Biles said.

She added, “For somebody to stand up, I know it meant a lot for [my teammates].”

source: people.com