Shut up and dribble? Don’t tell that to Kevin Durant and the Golden State Warriors. The team would have went to the White House this week to celebrate their championship, however, the team announced before the season even started that it would skip the visit as their values do not align with the current administration. Instead of spending time with their loved ones, the team decided to treat students from Durant’s hometown Seat Pleasant, MD to a tour of the African American History Museum.
Guard Klay Thompson said that the team is not trying to “politicize” this moment. Instead, he insisted, “We’re going to hang out with some kids, and take them to the African American Museum, and hopefully teach them some things we learned along the way, and life lessons, and hopefully give them some great memories.” There was an extra special moment for Warriors coach Jarron Collins who got to see his brother Jason’s contribution to the museum.
The Warriors' trip to the African American History Museum was extra meaningful for coach Jarron Collins, whose brother Jason is featured as the first openly gay NBA player. Jarron brough his three kids to experience the museum and see their uncle's part of history.
— Kerith Burke (@KerithBurke) March 1, 2018
In addition to the trip with students, Durant pledged $10 million to a program that helps students from underprivileged areas go on and graduate from college, known as College Track. The program, the first on the East Coast, works with students before they start ninth grade and continue to be there until they finish college. Durant’s contribution will pay for facilities that will be located in his community for students who grew up in Durant’s hometown. LeBron James took notice of Durant’s charity work and gave him a shout out on Twitter.
Love what @KDTrey5 is doing in his hometown with that up and coming learning center! Means a lot to those kids. Salute G! 🙏🏾
— LeBron James (@KingJames) March 1, 2018
Also on the East Coast, Dwyane Wade is back playing for the Heat and his impact proves that basketball is more than just a game. Wade recently found out that one of the young victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, Joaquin Oliver, was laid to rest in a Wade jersey. Clearly emotional thinking about it, he wrote Oliver’s name on his shoes before the Heat’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday. He only went on to score 15 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter, including the game winning shot. Moments like this make you believe in a higher power.
This is Joaquin Oliver. He was one of the 17 young lives that were lost tragically at Douglas HighSchool in Parkland. Joaquin was one of many that i heard was excited about my return to Miami and yesterday was buried in my jersey. This is why we will not just SHUT up and dribble! pic.twitter.com/X0tfTTao33
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) February 26, 2018
