Bowie State University unveiled a brand new basketball court on Thursday. The renovation was made possible thanks to a $500,000 donation from the Durant Family Foundation. Wanda Durant, Kevin Durant’s mother and the head of the foundation, took part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“When I walked into the gym, I wasn’t expecting this,” she said, according to WUSA-TV. “It was so bright, revived, refreshed. It brought back memories of when my sons played here in the early years.”
“To see my son’s name and initials on the court, it’s overwhelming a bit,” she added.
BSU President Aminta Breaux said the institution does not receive state funding for athletics and that the donation has made an impact.
“It looks much more conducive to the type of environment that we need for our student athletes to compete on and to win,” she said. “But it’s also about the overall student experience, and making sure that the students have the quality of facilities that they need… The Durant Foundation has stepped up in a unique and wonderful way to make this possible.”
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) September 22, 2023
The donation was announced last December. Renovations of the basketball arena at the Leonidas S. James Physical Education Complex at BSU also include expanded seating capacity and upgrades made to the press box area. The donation is also going towards a scholarship for Durant Center College Track students who attend the HBCU.
“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,” Breaux said in a press release at the time. “His contributions will go a long way towards updating our facilities and ensure a top-tier athletic experience for all of our students. The foundation has already built a network of community-centric services within the Durant Center in Prince George’s County that is exemplary.”
