Kevin Durant’s career has spanned legendary milestones. He has multiple NBA championships, Olympic gold medals, and MVP honors to his credit. Yet, despite all the global recognition and accolades, Durant made it clear that his journey wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering belief of one person, his mother, Wanda Durant. In a personal conversation with LeBron James and Steve Nash on the Mind the Game podcast, the 36-year-old superstar opened up about how his mother's faith laid the foundation for everything he achieved on the court.
Kevin Durant honors his mom, Wanda Durant, as the true MVP behind his legendary basketball journey
Kevin Durant showed his immense gratitude to his mother, Wanda Durant in a candid chat with LeBron James and Steve Nash.
“Yeah. It's my mom's for sure. I mean obviously it's always going to be your mom's. Yeah. But it's like I tune her out at a certain point. You know what I'm saying?” Durant shared, reflecting on his early years. “So it was for sure. You know when I look back on it I for sure appreciated my mom telling me that I was going to be great. But I always knew that. Of course she going to say that.”
The candid moment showed a side of Durant that fans rarely see as an elite athlete, shaped by a community and a mother who kept pushing him forward. “She was calling me handsome when I was going to school and they was like, ‘Oh no.’ You know what I'm saying?” he continued, playfully acknowledging his mom’s unwavering support. “I was looking for some validation from my coaches, my teammates... then my friends start to knock on my door. Can Katie come play today?”
From those early neighborhood games to the NBA spotlight, Durant’s love for basketball was also nurtured by the community around him. “I was just grateful to have a rec center in my neighborhood that... provided a space for the kids. You know what I'm saying? And I was grateful. You know, most of my friends come from hooping... I travel this world because of that.”
From being drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics to winning two titles with the Warriors and now joining the Houston Rockets in a record-breaking seven-team deal, Durant's career continues to evolve. “Houston, Can’t Wait!” he wrote on social media. But at every stage, Wanda Durant’s influence remains a central force.
As Rockets coach Ime Udoka said, “His skill level, love of basketball, and dedication to his craft have made him one of the most respected players of his generation.”
Also Read:
Los Angeles Lakers $10 billion deal left Shaquille O’Neal “upset” for one major reasonToday, without a doubt, Durant is one of the most accomplished NBA stars in the league with his elite status in the league. While his tenure with the Rockets is yet to be seen, fans expect his showdown with his new franchise as well.
Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu’s inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the ...
Read MoreThe TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide.
From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more.
The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics.
We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects.
We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.
Read Less
Start a Conversation
Post comment