Kevin Durant has long been known for his scoring titles and clutch shots, but the NBA star just proved his sharpest moves might happen off the court. Through his investment firm 35V, co-founded with longtime business partner Rich Kleiman, Durant turned a modest $250,000 stake in artificial intelligence startup Hugging Face into an estimated $60 million windfall following Nvidia's $12.9 billion acquisition of the company.
The deal, which closed this week, marks one of the most profitable single investments by an active athlete in recent memory. According to financial analyst Joe Pompliano, Durant put $100,000 into Hugging Face's seed round and another $150,000 during its Series A. That combined $250,000 position now represents a return of roughly 240 times the original outlay.
From the court to the cap table
Durant's investment strategy has evolved significantly since his early NBA days. While many athletes rely on endorsement deals and traditional financial advisors, Durant and Kleiman built 35V to focus on direct equity stakes in technology, media, sports teams, and consumer goods. The firm has backed companies like Postmates, Robinhood, and Overtime, but the Hugging Face bet stands out for its outsized payoff.
The $60 million return is particularly striking when compared to Durant's on-court earnings. For the 2026-27 season, Durant is set to earn nearly $44 million under his two-year, $90 million extension with the Phoenix Suns. In other words, a single investment decision generated more income than an entire season of playing basketball at the highest level.
Durant's career earnings now exceed $500 million, not including his lifetime deal with Nike. But this latest windfall underscores a broader trend among elite athletes: moving beyond passive sponsorships and into active ownership.
A growing playbook for athlete investors
Durant is hardly the first athlete to strike gold in the venture world. Kobe Bryant's $6 million investment in BodyArmor returned $200 million when Coca-Cola acquired the sports drink company. Shaquille O'Neal famously bought Google stock before its IPO. LeBron James turned a $6.5 million stake in Liverpool FC into a $100 million share of Fenway Sports Group. Andre Iguodala got in early on Zoom Video Communications.
What sets Durant apart is the scale and speed of the return. Hugging Face, a platform that hosts open-source AI models, became a critical player in the artificial intelligence boom. Nvidia's acquisition reflects the growing demand for AI infrastructure and community-driven development. For Durant, the bet was both prescient and profitable.
For Latino fans, Durant's success is a reminder that smart investing can be as impactful as athletic achievement. While the story doesn't center on a Latino figure, it resonates with a community that increasingly values entrepreneurship and financial independence. From Miami's luxury real estate market to cautionary tales of financial fraud, the lessons of wealth creation and risk are universal.
Durant's move also highlights the importance of diversification. While many athletes put their money into restaurants or car dealerships, 35V has taken a more tech-forward approach. The firm's portfolio includes investments in artificial intelligence, fintech, and even sports analytics. This strategy has positioned Durant as one of the most influential athlete investors of his generation.
As Nvidia integrates Hugging Face into its ecosystem, the full impact of the acquisition will unfold over the coming years. But for Durant, the check is already cashed. The 35-year-old forward, who has won two NBA championships and two Olympic gold medals, can now add "AI millionaire" to his résumé.
For young Latino entrepreneurs looking to follow a similar path, the takeaway is clear: you don't need a massive bankroll to start investing. A well-timed, well-researched bet on a promising startup can yield life-changing returns. Durant's $250,000 seed money may seem out of reach for most, but the principle of calculated risk applies at any scale.
As the sports world continues to blur the lines between athletics and business, Durant's Hugging Face windfall will likely be studied as a case study in smart investing. And for fans in places like the Leagues Cup or baseball's October push, it's a reminder that the biggest plays often happen far from the arena.
