As Kevin Durant likes to call her ‘The Real MVP’, Wanda Durant’s journey truly exemplifies this title. When Kevin Durant was still an infant, his father, Wayne Pratt, left Wanda, who was only 21 years old, with their two sons (Kevin and Tony). Wanda’s life was full of struggles as she took care of her sons alone for many years. There were times when she didn’t know how she would support her family, but Wanda never gave up. According to her, this perseverance drove her sons to work just as hard. Kevin highlighted these hardships during his MVP speech, summarizing the difficulties they faced.
Now, Kevin Durant is a two-time NBA champion, former Finals MVP, and boasts an extensive list of accolades. At 35, he is worth around $300 million and remains one of the best players in the league. All of this success can be traced back to Wanda’s struggles and sacrifices. She worked two jobs, including a night shift, to support her family. When she wasn’t home during the night hours, young Kevin often asked when she would quit. Despite the challenges, Wanda was determined to go the distance for her sons.
Besides providing for her sons, Wanda was also an excellent parent. She ensured that Kevin and Tony had activities outside of school, with basketball being Kevin’s choice. However, there came a time when Kevin wanted to quit basketball. Surprisingly, Wanda did not oppose his decision, but there was a condition: if he quit basketball, he would have to take piano lessons. Faced with this choice, the 11-year-old Kevin decided to stick with basketball.
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This wasn’t exactly a butterfly effect but had Wanda suggested anything other than piano lessons, Kevin might not have become the superstar he is today. Around this time, Wanda was also suffering from Graves’ disease, which once sent her to the emergency room. Two years later, when Kevin turned 13, his father Wayne returned and supported him in his basketball journey. From then on, it was Kevin’s hard work that propelled him to superstardom. But what about his mother, Wanda, after all the fame?
Where is Kevin Durant’s mother now?
Wanda is a motivational speaker, runs the Durant Family Foundation, and continues to give back to the community. As a speaker, Wanda has inspired thousands of single mothers with her own journey and struggles. Some of the qualities that she wanted her kids to have were hard work and determination, as she believed that these qualities were not the ones that could be erased. And for the most part, they did not. Her non-profit organization, Hope, Dream, Believe, and Achieve goes about Wanda’s narratives of going through a rough phase in life.
The HDBA helps underprivileged single mothers and children across the country. Additionally, the Durant Family Foundation builds basketball courts worldwide in developing areas. While Kevin continues to excel on the court, Wanda remains dedicated to helping those in need globally. She is Kevin’s biggest fan, supporting him through every phase of his life. From basketball to his personal life, Wanda stays actively involved in his decisions.
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Now, the Real MVP’s son is about to make a run for his fourth consecutive Olympic gold. This will make Durant the only male basketball player with four gold medals. What are your thoughts on KD’s upbringing? Let us know in the comments.
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Is Wanda Durant the real MVP behind Kevin Durant's success? Share your thoughts!