Still only 21 and coming off his third professional season, the Oklahoma Thunder prodigy won the tournament's Most Valuable Player award with a series of majestic performances.
Easing past his markers to score from a wide range of positions, Durant racked up 28 points in the final, including 20 in the first half after the hosts had taken an early 17-14 lead.
Durant buried one three-pointer after another to give the US a 42-32 lead at halftime and his Thunder team-mate Russel Westbrook provided excellent support with 13 points, six rebounds and three assists.
"I am happy to come home with a gold medal and I was blessed for such a coach as Coach K," said Durant, referring to US coach Mike Krzyzedwski who also steered the Americans to the 2008 Olympic gold medal. "I was put in a great position to come here and be one of the main players, I took the challenge and it was a tough task to prepare for the international game.”
Los Angeles Lakers forward Lamar Odom chipped in with 15 points and 11 rebounds.
Lithuania, brushed aside by the US in the other semifinal, bounced back to win the bronze medal with a 99-88 win over Serbia.
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