Oneil Cruz Receives Gift From NBA Superstar

When discussing their sporting careers, many high-level athletes speak of “making it”: the moment they received a collegiate offer, heard their name called in the draft, signed their first professional contract or played in their first game. Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz could add another distinction to that sort of list: recognition from Phoenix Suns’ forward Kevin Durant, one of the greatest athletes on the planet through the course of his career.

Fans and fellow players alike have compared the two lanky athletes: Durant stands 6-foot-11 and 240 pounds, while Cruz clocks in at 6-foot-7 and 210 pounds. It seems that Cruz’s counterpart on the court—famed for his savvy use of social media—took notice.

Per Pirates Director of Communications Patrick Kurish, who posted a picture of the exchange to X, formerly known as Twitter, Durant sent Cruz a signed basketball ahead of Pittsburgh’s Opening Day matchup with the Miami Marlins.