Michael Beasley has finally addressed a long-standing story from his childhood that has become a playful part of NBA lore. During a recent appearance on the Club 520 podcast, Beasley confirmed an incident involving an 11-year-old Kevin Durant, a shared pizza, and his early departure that left Durant and others without any slices. The amusing tale, which has been a part of their shared history for over a decade, was brought up again, and Beasley shared his side of the story.
“The pizza story is true. But, it’s not that true. I took half the box. But the people I took it from, they had to give their slice too. So, that’s why the whole pizza was gone.” (43:30)
According to Beasley, the pizza incident did happen, but there were some details he felt needed clarification. He claimed that he didn’t take the entire pizza but rather what he thought was his fair share. The story originated during their younger days, back when Beasley and Durant first met at a recreation center in their hometown. After a practice session, the group of kids ordered pizza to celebrate.
However, Beasley had to leave early, and without consulting the group, he grabbed what he could before heading out the door. Durant reflected on the moment years during a 2013 appearance on ESPN’s Highly Questionable.
“Yeah, we had practice at the rec center and it was the first time we all ever met Mike. We were, like, ‘He’s not from our side of town, he’s from 5 or 10 minutes down the road.”
“And, that’s a long ways away if you’re living in that area. We had practice and we knew he was tall. He was gonna grow into a great player. You know so we ordered pizza for the whole team and after practice we were all looking forward to it. And, he had to leave early I guess, like 10 minutes early.”
“And we came out and all the pizza was gone. And, you know, we looked out the door and he was jumping in a car and he had a piece of slice in his hand and we kinda put two and two together.”
“That was our first impression of Mike. We knew we had to deal with a load on our hands. But, he was a free spirit and ever since then, we was always together every single day up until 10th grade.” (0:17)
While it was a funny moment in hindsight, Beasley’s explanation adds another layer to the story. He wasn’t just being greedy—he saw the situation as taking his portion, though it resulted in leaving the others empty-handed. Beasley’s departure may have seemed sneaky, but it didn’t cause any lasting resentment between the two future NBA stars. In fact, it became a moment of bonding between them.
Over time, Beasley and Durant formed a close friendship, growing up together and eventually entering the NBA just a year apart. Durant was selected as the second overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, and Beasley followed as the second pick in 2008. Their shared experiences, including the infamous pizza incident, contributed to their relationship both on and off the court.
Beasley’s humorous retelling of the pizza story highlights how these early interactions between young athletes can create lasting memories. The lighthearted nature of the tale contrasts with the serious competitive spirit both players would later show in the NBA. It also showcases the camaraderie that exists among players who grew up in the same basketball circles, finding success through hard work, talent, and, in Beasley’s case, grabbing a slice (or two) along the way.
Despite their different paths in the league, the bond between Michael Beasley and Kevin Durant remains strong, and the pizza story serves as a reminder of their shared roots and the playful moments that define their friendship.