Pro basketballer Kevin Durant calls his mother Wanda “the real MVP.”

Their father left Wanda, 21, a single mother with Kevin and Anthony, infants and toddlers, respectively.

“Our chances were slim. “You were a single parent with two boys at 21,” Kevin stated during his 2014 MVP award speech. “We weren’t supposed here. You convinced us. You fed us, clothed us, and kept us off the street. You made us eat when you didn’t. You slept hungry. Your sacrifice helped us. The MVP is you.”

Wanda feels her sons were encouraged to work hard to attain their aspirations by her tenacity and hard work despite huge hurdles. “I continued to give them my love, my time, my presence and being as engaged as I possibly could,” she said. “After looking over my life, I realized that having hope and not quitting gave my sons the opportunity to live out their dreams and do the same.”

She’s Kevin’s biggest admirer on and off the court and now a motivational speaker and philanthropist helping neglected areas achieve.

She’s Kevin’s biggest fan on and off the court.

Kevin Durant with his mother Wanda following a February 16, 2023 press conference.

Mama Durant frequently discusses her support of her son on television and in interviews.

“I’m Kevin’s biggest fan,” she told Essence 2022. “He’ll always be Kevin. I know he’s a professional athlete, so some will adore him and some won’t. I’m his mom, therefore it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter what others say. I like him.”

She’s thanked Kevin’s fans during his injuries.

After becoming Bill Russell, Kevin Durant celebrates with his mother Wanda. 2017 NBA Finals MVP

After recovering from a calf ailment, Durant ruptured his Achilles tendon in game 5 of the NBA playoffs. “To the fans all over the world who have sent us their prayers, who have contacted me over my social media, sent general responses, I’m just so grateful and our family is thankful,” Wanda told CNN. “And so for that, we have complete gratitude.”