Although Kevin Durant, the basketball player, may have won the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player award in 2014 and 2017, he believes that his mother, Wanda Durant, is “the real MVP.”

Their father abandoned the family when KevĖn was just a baby and his sibling Anthony was just a toddler. At age 21, Wanda was a single mother.

“We were attacked by the odds. Single parent with two boys when you were twenty-one years old. During his 2014 MVP acceptance speech, Kevin assisted. It wasn’t planned for us to be here. You created a belief. You pulled us off the couch, placed clothes on our backs, and placed food on the table. You ensured we ate while you didn’t eat. You went to bed without eating. You gave your life for you. You truly are the MVP.

Wanda believes that despite enormous challenges, modelling perseverance and hard work inspired her to work hard to realise her dreams. He told NBA.com, “I continued to give them my love, my time, my presence, and being as engaged as I possibly could.” “After reviewing my life, I came to the realisation that having hope and not giving up allowed my children the chance to fulfil their dreams and carry out the same.”

She is Kevin’s biggest fan both on and off the court, and he is now also a motivational speaker and philanthropist striving to provide opportunities for success to those in marginalised communities.

However, who is Wanda Durant? Continue reading to discover more about her personal journey, her philanthropy, and the significant job she does now.

She’ѕ а motіvatіonal ѕpeaker

“Where there is hope, there is possibility” is Wanda’s philosophy, as she states on her website, MamaDurant.com. Her biography states, “Her passion is to encourage underprivileged kids, single mothers, and communities to rise above their current circumstances and pursue higher goals in life.”

She has spoken at conferences for organisations like the Ford Foundation, the White House United States of Women, and the Continental Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference, as well as corporate groups like J.P. Morgan Chase.

She helрs run the Durаnt Fаmily Foundаtion

Under the mission statement, “To enrich the lives of at-risk youth from low-income backgrounds through educational, athletic, and social programmes,” the charity works to support impoverished children all around the world.

Still, a number of the organization’s initiatives are particularly relevant to the Durants. The foundation donated $500,000 in 2022 to renovate the basketball courts at Bowdoin State University, which is close to KevĖn’s growth area in Prince George’s County, Maryland.

It’s home. Bowe State is essentially our backyard, and PG County is a part of who we know and who we are. With Kendall playing in that gym and it being the first HBCU in Maryland, all the stars were aligned for this to happen, Wanda stated.

Apart from her close family relationships, Wanda participates in organisations such as the Single Parents Support Network, Baller Moms, The Boy & Girls Club of America, and Mothers of Professional Basketball Players. Additionally, she is on the board of Transitional Financial Partners, aiming to educate women about financial literacy.

She’ѕ Kevіn’s bіggest fаn on аnd off the сourt

Ma Durant, as she was called, frequently spoke candidly about her support of her on television and in interviews.

“I’m Kevin’s biggest fan,” he said to Emily in 2022. He will always be Kevin, and that’s it. I understand the arena he plays in and that, as a professional athlete, you will have some fans and some detractors. I’m still his mother, therefore it makes no difference. It is irrelevant what other people think. I like them.

She’ѕ been the voіce of grаtitude to Kevіn’s fаns through hіs іnjurіes

After suffering a series of challenging injuries during the 2018–2019 season, he returned from a calves injury and ruptured his Achilles tendon in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. “I’m just so grateful and our family is thankful to all the fans around the world who have sent me their prayers, who have communicated with me regarding my social media, and who have left general responses,” Wanda said on Good Morning America. “And for that, we are truly grateful.”

 KevĖn Durant’s mother speaks out during Game 5 of the NBA Finals on his injury: “He said not to cry.”

It’s a difficult moment for him right now. However, we will be alright,” he continued.

She’ѕ been сelebrated on the bіg ѕcreen

A documentary on Wanda’s life, titled The Real MVP: The Wanda Durant Story, was released by Lifetime in 2016. It revolved around the challenges of raising two children in extremely challenging circumstances and enabling them to achieve. Produced by Queen Latifah, Pauletta Washington starred in the film.

She’ѕ outѕpoken іn defenѕe of her ѕon’ѕ сareer сhoiсes

While KevĖn has encountered criticism in his basketball career, Wanda has consistently spoken up for what she believes in. After KevĖn joined the Brooklyn Nets in 2022 after leaving the Golden State Warriors, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith stated in public that the athlete might have damaged his legacy by joining a team where his play on the court has been overshadowed by player Kyrie Irving’s controversial actions, according to Bleacher Report.

Wanda sent some harsh words for SmĖth on Twitter in response, stating in part, “when will you get better?”

 The latest A-league player to join the Major League Pickleball team is KevĖn Durаnt Beсomes.

In response, SmĖth said in public, “She’s one of the most unique people I’ve ever met in the NBA, and I love the NBA moms and they all know that.” You are free to say anything you want on Twitter about me, my face, or whatever the situation may be. I will do nothing but respect and defer to you since that is how I genuinely feel about you. Thus, I don’t take offence at what he said. She is advocating for herself, and he has every right to do so.

She’ѕ аn аdvocаte for Grаves dіsease аnd thyroіd eye dіsease

17 years ago, Wanda was diagnosed with Graves disease, a thyroid disorder. However, she faced difficulties in receiving a diagnosis of thyroid eye disease (TED), a related condition, and is currently trying to raise awareness of the condition.

“I would have been more carefully monitoring my eyes and seeing a TED Eye Specialist if I had known about the risk of TED sooner,” Wanda said to Ebony in 2022.  “I’m on a mission to help others not live with this blend pot for as long as I have,” the speaker said.