In May 2017, just as Kevin Durant was in the midst of his first championship run with the Golden State Warriors, I had the honor of speaking with the “Real MVP” herself, Wanda Durant. At the time, we were celebrating Mother’s Day on Scoop B Radio, but the conversation quickly turned into a deep reflection on the transition of a son from a protégé to a man. Today, in 2025—with KD’s legacy as an all-time great and a business mogul firmly established—Wanda’s words about his “growth” remain a buttoned-up tribute to the power of parental support.
Looking back, Wanda wasn’t just proud of the rings; she was proud of the resolve.
The Transformation from Son to Man
One of the most touching moments of our 2017 session was Wanda’s realization that she was no longer looking at “the kid from Maryland,” but at a man who had taken full control of his destiny.
“I’m really grateful to see the man he’s become,” Wanda Durant told me. “Watching his growth, his maturity, and how he’s handled everything that’s come his way… as a mother, that’s all you can ask for. You want to see them stand on their own two feet.”
In 2025, we see a Kevin Durant who is unapologetically himself—a leader on the court and a savvy investor off it. Wanda’s 2017 observation was the first public acknowledgment that the “apology tour” for his move to the Warriors was over; he had transitioned into a new phase of independence.
The “Real MVP” Legacy
We couldn’t talk about Wanda without mentioning KD’s iconic 2014 MVP speech. While the world saw a viral moment, Wanda saw a validation of the “struggle” they endured together as a single-parent household.
“It wasn’t always easy, and people see the success now, but they don’t see the sacrifice. I’m just glad that his heart stayed the same through it all. He still cares about the people and where he came from.”
Looking back from 2025, that “heart” is evident in the Durant Family Foundation’s work. Wanda’s 2017 session on Scoop B Radio highlighted the generational impact of their journey—where the basketball success became a tool for community building.
Navigating the Noise
In 2017, the noise surrounding KD was deafening. He was the “villain” in many narratives. Wanda spoke to me about the “thick skin” her son developed and her role as his primary protector and confidante.
“You have to block out the noise. We’ve always been a close-knit family, and we know who he is. That’s what matters most.”
As we move through 2025, that “close-knit” bond is still the foundation of the Durant brand. Wanda is a fixture at his games, not just as a spectator, but as the emotional anchor for one of the most prolific scorers in NBA history.
2025 Retrospective: The “Mama Durant” Blueprint
Today, Wanda Durant is an author, a motivational speaker, and a philanthropist in her own right. Her 2017 interview served as a reminder that the stars we watch on television are the products of the resilience of the women who raised them.
As Wanda told me:
“I’m just a mom who loves her son.”
In the end, that simple love is what fueled a championship career. Wanda Durant proved that being “The Real MVP” wasn’t just a line in a speech—it was a lifetime of dedication.
