Kevin Durant supports ” secretly “another nation in this Olympic basketball tournament: South Sudan, which the Americans meet again tonight. This support is linked to his relationship with the coach of the African team, Royal Ivey.
” He's a brother and someone who's impacted my life in so many ways, even outside of basketball. “, reports the American superstarwhose connection dates back at least to his early NBA years in Oklahoma City.
In the 2010/11 season, the point guard signed with the Thunder, becoming, at 29, one of the most experienced players on the young team. At the start of his 4th season, “KD” was 22 years old (Ivey says he has known him since he was 18), while Russell Westbrook and James Harden were starting their 3rd and 2nd seasons.
Royal Ivey stayed there for three seasons, interspersed with a stint with the Sixers. A few years after hanging up his NBA jersey, he returned as an assistant, but Kevin Durant had just left for the Warriors.
The best friends in the world “
The two men, who met in Brooklyn where the assistant was later appointed, remained close, as Ron Naclerio, who coached Royal Ivey at a New York high school, testifies. KD and him are best friends. Royal is the closest person (from KD), maybe even closer than his own biological brother. KD was at the wedding party (from Ivey) », Ron Naclerio told the New York Post.
Kevin Durant was asked today at his camp who his favorite teammate ever is. Answer: Current OKC Blue assistant Royal Ivey.
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) August 8, 2015
After his team's sensational victory against Puerto Rico, the coach also used the term ” brother “, ” little brother ” even, to talk about his ex-teammate. ” I love him, but I'll see him after the Olympics. We know it's a competition. I saw him in the friendly match. I gave him affection, but it's a competition. He knows it, I love him and I wish him the best. ” he said.
And conversely from a Kevin Durant marked by the performances of Royal Ivey as a coach: ” To see his leadership and how far he can take this South Sudan team is great to see. It’s huge for the country and it’s huge for him as a young coach. I’m secretly behind them except when they play us. But he’s doing a really good job. »
