“I knew I had to wait my turn” – Kevin Durant embraced disappointment over being snubbed in the 2008 Redeem Team

The 2008 Team USA is widely regarded as one of the most iconic squads the Americans have assembled in international basketball. With a top-notch collection of talents that featured Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Carmelo Anthony, the 'Redeem Team' captured the lost glory of the U.S. after its disastrous collapse four years earlier in Athens. It was a special group that fulfilled the ultimate mission of USAB at that time, and they certainly lived up to the hype as the indisputably second greatest ever, just behind the 1992 'Dream Team.'

As special as it has been for the Redeem Team to win it all in a dramatic fashion, Kevin Durant felt that he should've been there and celebrating with them as well. For him, he paid his dues to be a rightful choice in the loaded roster but was unfortunately overlooked in the selection process for the Star and Stripes in Beijing.

An understandable snubbing

Kevin Durant seized hype and anticipation upon his NBA entry. As the second overall pick, he already yielded lofty consideration as a generational scorer, flashing such promising signs and potential to becoming the league's next big thing. And he didn't disappoint as he won the 2007-08 Rookie of the Year honors by averaging 20.3 points, 4.4 boards, and 2.4 assists for the ceasing Seattle SuperSonics.

His tremendous run to kickstart his NBA career earned KD the privilege of being invited to Team USA's preliminary 33-player list and training camp ahead of the 2008 Olympics. But unfortunately, his name wasn't considered for the official roster, as he and then-teammate Nick Collison were the last final cuts.

Looking back, Durant felt 'disrespected' about being excluded from the Redeem Team. Yet despite that, he realized that it wasn't the right time for him to represent America and help bring home the glory.

"I knew I had to wait my turn. But I just wanted to be a part of that," he said . "Just knowing that they lost in '04, and in '06 they lost a game, and I wanted to be a part of that Redeem Team."

"So it was upsetting watching it from home, but I told myself to just keep working and at some point my time is going to come."

Worth the wait

Fast forward two years, Durant was officially honored by being a member of the nation's FIBA World Cup roster that went on to win the 2010 gold medal, and his dream to finally play in the Olympics came to reality in 2012 as he helped the United States defend its crown in London. Since then, he has been a mainstay for the USAB program, leading the States in the next two editions of the Summer Games that extended the Americans' reign in the globe. He is set to play for the United States again at this year's Paris Olympics, marking his fourth straight appearance.

The patience paid off for Durant after not joining the Redeem Team in 2008. And actually, it prepared him to embrace more wonders to become one of America's most celebrated athletes.

Related: Kevin Durant seemingly calls out Nike for leaving him out of the Olympics ad campaign: “Been with y’all every step of the way”