As Team USA arrives in Washington, D.C. for its final tuneup before heading to England for the Olympics, the D.C. area is excited to have Kevin Durant back on his home soil.In Seat Pleasant, a neighborhood just across the D.C. line in Prince Georges County, Maryland, they fondly recall KD and his non-stop work ethic playing hoops in the Seat Pleasant Rec Center. He worked so hard, he ended up finding a precious few hours to sleep in the gym between workouts. They are also beaming with pride that he, along with 2 of his teammates, will represent the USA in London.
That rec center is now undergoing a significant facelift and will reopen with a newly remodeled gym next month. It also includes a special area Kevin himself donated, the Durant Den, which includes KD memorabilia. Those who work here say Kevin inspires every kid who comes through.
The Thunder web/broadcast team, including Grant Long, paid a visit to Seat Pleasant to see where Kevin grew up and worked to become what he is today, an NBA player recognized for his humility, hard work and passion. We talked with those who knew and played with him. Grant even made a stop at the local barber shop where Kevin used to get his hair cut, when he could find the time to get out of the gym. On our website, look for Grant’s reports from USA Basketball’s activities in D.C. this weekend and an exhbition game against Brazil on Monday night.
And throughout July and August, we will bring you more from Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden as they head to the Olympics as well as Serge Ibaka who will represent Spain.
Grant will also have a special feature on Kevin’s roots in the D.C. area, coming in August.
UPDATE: Friday night, Kevin Durant and James Harden paid a visit to another of KD’s old stomping grounds, the famous Barry Farms neighborhood court. It’s where some of the best city basketball you’ll ever see is played and it’s another of the locations where Kevin honed his skills growing up. Friday the Farms was the site of the World Basketball Festival, organized by Nike and USA Basketball. KD and James received a wonderful reception as they watched a D.C. team take on a New York City team.
Grant Long talked to both of them. You’ll be able to watch that starting Saturday morning at THUNDER.NBA.COM
-Dan Mahoney
