Kevin Durant Donates $500K to Renovate HBCU Bowie State's Basketball Gym
Dec 12, 2022
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 2: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles against the Toronto Raptors in the first half at Barclays Center on December 2, 2022 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)
Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant and the Durant Family Foundation pledged $500,000 toward Bowie State athletics.
"We're grateful for the resources that Kevin Durant and his family foundation have generously donated to Bowie State University to advance student success in achieving their academic goals," said Bowie State president Aminta Breaux. "His contributions will go a long way towards updating our facilities and ensure a top-tier athletic experience for all of our students."
Part of the donation will go toward installing a new basketball court at A.C. Jordan Arena and expanding the venue's capacity. A portion of the money is also earmarked for "financial support for men's and women's basketball and university athletics programs."
The Bulldogs men's basketball team has gotten off to a 2-9 start in 2022-23, while the women's team improved to 4-4 with its most recent win over Wilmington University.
Bowie State is the oldest historically Black college or university in Maryland, and its campus in Prince George's County isn't far from Durant's hometown of Washington, D.C.
A glaring limelight was already cast over the NBA's
Celtics' Jaylen Brown Proves He 'Can Play with the Best of Them' in Win vs. Nets
Dec 5, 2022
Boston Celtics' Jaylen Brown reacts after making the tying three-pointer during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat, Friday, Dec. 2, 2022, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Jaylen Brown has quietly been one of the best players in the NBA this season. He got loud on Sunday.
Brown scored a game-high 34 points against the Brooklyn Nets, leading the Boston Celtics to a 103-92 win. He added 10 rebounds, two assists, two steals and a career-high four blocks in the victory. He also didn't turn the ball over once.
He didn't waste any time dropping the hammer on Brooklyn, putting up 20 points in the first quarter alone as Boston raced out to a 35-27 lead and never looked back.
So unsurprisingly, NBA Twitter was buzzing after the performance:
Players with multiple 30/10 games with 5 threes this season:
Brown wasn't alone in his efforts, as his running mate Jayson Tatum put up 29 points, 11 boards and four steals. The pair combined to shoot 20-of-39 from the field, while the Celtics shot a solid 15-of-38 overall from beyond the arc.
Kevin Durant tried to keep Brooklyn in the game, finishing with 31 points. He didn't have much help, however, as Kyrie Irving struggled (18 points, 7-of-21 from the field) and the team's bench was outscored 24-15 by Boston's reserves.
For the 18-5 Celtics, it was yet another conquest in a season full of them, as they remain atop the Eastern Conference. For the 13-11 Nets, it was yet another disappointing display, albeit one without the injured Ben Simmons.
And for Brown, it was yet another reminder that he's climbing steadily closer to the ranks of the superstars. Well, if he isn't there already, that is.
Kevin Durant: Nets 'Have High Expectations,' but Process More Important Than Results
Dec 1, 2022
BROOKLYN, NY - NOVEMBER 30: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on during the game against the Washington Wizards on November 30, 2022 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Brooklyn Nets might not be where they expected to be at 12-11, but Kevin Durant looks beyond the team's record for signs of progress.
Durant told reporters following Wednesday's 113-107 win over the Washington Wizards that "we have high expectations for our team, but the process is more important than the end result." He added that has been a philosophy emphasized by head coach Jacque Vaughn.
Kevin Durant: We have high expectations for our team, but the process is more important than the results. pic.twitter.com/7gl86l4XpH
The 2021-22 Nets saw firsthand how important it is to lay some sort of cohesive foundation on the court.
They were without Kyrie Irving for most of the season because he declined to get vaccinated against COVID-19, and the James Harden trade was a massive midseason disruption.
Late into the year, Andre Drummond summed up how Brooklyn had to hope its talent alone would carry the day.
"Got to treat this s--t like pickup," he told reporters in March. "Just take the best five and try to make it work. And try to build chemistry while we're out there."
The Nets went 7-4 to close out the regular season only to get swept by the Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs.
Brooklyn has already experienced its fair share of drama. Head coach Steve Nash was fired. Irving served a suspension for promoting an antisemitic film and refusing to disavow its problematic content. Ben Simmons has battled injuries and reportedly some scrutiny from his own teammates.
Still, the team is only one game out of the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference.
The Nets' penchant for turmoil and Simmons' struggles don't bode well for their championship hopes. But Vaughn and his staff have time to forge some sort of identity on the court that allows the whole to be greater than the sum of its parts.
NBA trade season is about to get busy. Its unofficial opening will commence on Dec. 15, when players who signed new contracts this summer first become...
Raptors' Fred VanVleet Says He Wouldn't Trade Scottie Barnes for Kevin Durant
Nov 29, 2022
Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant drives between Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes and Fred VanVleet (23) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021, in New York. The Nets won 131-129 in overtime. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Even though Kevin Durant could swing championship odds if the Brooklyn Nets traded him, at least one member of the Toronto Raptors wouldn't want his team to make a play for the 12-time All-Star if it meant giving up Scottie Barnes.
Appearing on the How Hungry Are You?show with Serge Ibaka (h/t Wenzell Ortiz of Yahoo Sports), Fred VanVleet explained why he wouldn't want to trade Barnes for Durant if the scenario presented itself.
"I wouldn’t do it," he said. "I told you, I’m a loyal guy; I’m not a trade guy."
VanVleet did smile when Ibaka asked him if there were any teammates he would trade to get Durant, so he isn't completely opposed to the idea of adding one of the best players in NBA history.
Despite his trade request over the summer, there has been no indication during the season that Durant is looking to leave Brooklyn. The Nets have played better of late, winning five of their past seven games to get to .500 (11-11) for the first time since the second game of the season.
The Raptors were among the teams reportedly interested in acquiring Durant, but Barnes seemed like a potential breaking point in trade negotiations.
Michael Grange of Sportsnet reported in July the Raptors were "fixed" on not putting Barnes into any trade package for a potential superstar player.
It's not hard to understand why Toronto's front office would want to keep Barnes, even if it meant not being able to get Durant. The reigning NBA Rookie of the Year is only 21 and has already established himself as one of the best young two-way players in the league.
Barnes' overall shooting efficiency has declined so far this season (49.2 percent as a rookie to 43.7 percent), but he's been more effective shooting the three (34.8 percent, up from 30.1) and is averaging 5.2 assists per game.
Durant is capable of transforming almost any franchise into a title contender, but he's also 34 and has missed significant time due to injuries over the previous three seasons.
The Raptors are still trying to put all of the pieces together to start this season. They are sixth in the Eastern Conference with an 11-9 record. Their defense ranks in the top 10 in points allowed (108.5) and defensive rating (111.1).
Toronto is building around the terrific quartet of VanVleet, Barnes, Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby. Head coach Nick Nurse has an excellent track record and should be able to figure things out with this group as the Raptors look to get back to the playoffs.
Nets' Kevin Durant Downplays NBA MVP Buzz: 'I've Been There, Done That'
Nov 29, 2022
BROOKLYN, NY - NOVEMBER 27: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on November 27, 2022 at Barclays Center Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant was showered with MVP chants throughout his 45-point performance in Monday's 109-102 win over the Orlando Magic at Barclays Center.
After the game, the 2014 NBA MVP was asked if he was hoping to win the award for a second time, but he said he's not focused on individual achievements this season.
"Not really. I've been there, done that, to be honest, and I know it's gonna take a lot for me to be in that conversation," he said. "I just want the respect from our fan base, and I want them to have a good time when they come to the game, so if that's what strikes chants up is how I play from the fans, as long as they're having a good time. But I'm not too worried about accolades at this point in my career."
Kevin Durant on MVP consideration: "I've been there, done that, to be honest." pic.twitter.com/CkC3mucTqQ
Durant was dominant and efficient, shooting 19-of-24 from the field on Monday. It was his third straight game scoring over 30 points.
The scoring outburst by Durant helped the Nets get back to .500 at 11-11. Brooklyn will look to continue its turnaround when it hosts the Washington Wizards (11-10) on Wednesday.
Kevin Durant 'Better Than He's Ever Been' as Nets Star Drops 45 in Win over Magic
Nov 29, 2022
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 28: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets keeps the ball from Kevon Harris #7 of the Orlando Magic in the first half at Barclays Center on November 28, 2022 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
After overcoming some early-season tumult, Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant is playing at a level that is reminiscent of his 2014 MVP campaign.
The 12-time All-Star dropped 45 points to help lead the Nets to a 109-102 win over the Orlando Magic at Barclays Center on Monday night. Durant shot an efficient 19-of-24 from the field and added seven rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks.
The Nets had gotten off to a 1-5 start and eventually parted ways with head coach Steve Nash. Now that the team has found some stability under new head coach Jacque Vaughn, Durant is playing with a freedom and joy that hasn't been seen from him in recent years. He toyed with Magic defenders and dictated the offensive flow for Brooklyn.
NBA Twitter lit up with excitement over Durant's vintage performance on Monday:
Kevin Durant is the 14th-oldest player to score 45.
39: Michael Jordan, Jamal Crawford 38: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 37: Kobe Bryant, LeBron James 36: Shaquille O'Neal, Karl Malone 35: Larry Bird, Alex English 34: Stephen Curry, Pau Gasol, Bernard King, Hakeem Olajuwon, Kevin Durant
Durant entered Monday ranked seventh in the league with 29.3 points per game. He has now dropped over 30 points in each of his last three games, showing he's still capable of scoring explosions at any time.
The Nets (11-11) will continue to ride Durant's shoulders when they host the Washington Wizards (11-10) on Wednesday.
With the Brooklyn Nets (6-9) struggling, will Kevin Durant revisit his offseason trade demand? In a wide-ranging interview with Bleacher Report's Chris Haynes,...
