The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Young, Durant make EA Sports history
06.26.2007 | Football
AUSTIN, Texas -- Electronic Arts Inc., today revealed that former Texas basketball star Kevin Durant, the first college freshman to receive the Wooden Award and Naismith Trophy as men's basketball college player of the year, has been chosen to be on the cover of the EA Sports videogame NCAA March Madness 08.
With the selection of former Texas QB Vince Young as the cover athlete Madden NFL 08 in April, it marks the first time that alums from the same school have been on EA SPORTS covers at the same time.
Durant is the fourth former Texas athlete to appear on an EA Sports cover. Running back Ricky Williams, the 1998 Heisman Trophy winner, appeared on the cover of NCAA Football 2000, while former baseball star and 2005 NCAA College World Series MVP David Maroul appeared on EA Sports' first college baseball video game, MVP 06 NCAA Baseball.
Durant is the first college freshman to receive the Wooden Award and Naismith Trophy as men's basketball college player of the year and joins an exclusive list of world-class teenagers to be selected to the cover of an EA Sports videogame franchise, taking his place alongside Freddy Adu (FIFA Soccer 06) of the MLS Real Salt Lake, Carmelo Anthony (NCAA March Madness 04) of the NBA Denver Nuggets and Wayne Rooney (FIFA 06 in United Kingdom) of Manchester United.
"A lot of great players have been chosen to be on the cover of EA Sports videogames, and it is an honor to be in their company," said Durant. "When I see the game on store shelves, it is really going to hit home that it's me on the cover of March Madness 08. I'm going to be first in line to buy all the copies to hand out to all my friends. It's like a dream come true."
Young's appearance on the cover of Madden NFL 08 also makes him the youngest NFL star to grace that game's cover. Last year's Madden NFL 07 sold over 7 million copies and was the number one selling game in North America in 2006. Madden NFL 08 will be available for purchase beginning August 14.
"It is truly an honor for me to be on the cover of Madden NFL 08, every NFL player dreams of being on the cover," said Young. "After being named Rookie of the Year and going to the Pro Bowl my first season - this is a perfect way to start my second season in the NFL."
As the first rookie quarterback to play in the NFL Pro Bowl, Young has already emerged as one of the most exciting athletes in the NFL. The 2006 NFL Rookie of the Year was selected by the Tennessee Titans with the third overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, and started in 13 games for the Titans. Young ranked second on the team with 552 rushing yards and tied a team high with seven touchdowns. The Houston native also became the first rookie quarterback in NFL history to exceed 500 rushing yards.
